US Coast Guard receives 11th FRC from Bollinger

The US Coast Guard (USCG) has taken delivery of a new fast response cutter (FRC), William Trump, from Bollinger Shipyards.

The latest 154ft-long patrol craft is the 11th vessel built for the USCG as part of its Sentinel-class FRC programme.

Designed to bridge the capability to comply with the potential mission requirements, the FPVs can support missions such as maritime homeland security, search and rescue (SAR), fishery patrol and national-defence missions.

Being developed as part of the USCG’s Deepwater programme to replace the ageing fleet of the 110ft-long Island-class cutters, the Sentinel-class FRCs can accommodate a crew of 22 and deploy rigid-hull inflatable boats (RHIB) for executing rescue and interception missions.

Bollinger chief operating officer Ben Bordelon said: "We are extremely happy to announce the delivery of the latest FRC built by Bollinger, the William Trump, to the 7th Coast Guard District in Key West, Florida."

Based on Damen Stan Patrol Boat 4708, the new FRC is integrated with latest command, control, communications and computer technology, in addition to a stern launch system for the vessels 26 ft cutter boat.

William Trump can cruise at speed of 28k using two 20-cylinder MTU TIER II diesel engines driving shaft and propeller through the reduction gear.

Set for commissioning in Key West, Florida during January 2015, the latest FPV is named after a Coast Guard Hero, Motor Machinist’s Mate First Class William Trump.