USCG commissions fourth Sentinel-class patrol boat

The US Coast Guard (USCG) has commissioned the fourth Sentinel-class patrol boat or fast response cutter (FRC), Robert Yered, at Coast Guard Base Miami Beach, Florida, US.

Bollinger Shipyards-built Robert Yered cutter has been delivered to the USCG in November 2012.

The vessel has been named to honour an enlisted Coast Guard, engineman first class Robert Yered, who courageously performed during military operations involving conflict with an armed hostile force in the Republic of Vietnam.

Robert Yered FRC has been designed to support USCG missions which include ports, waterways and coastal security, fishery patrols, drug and illegal migrant law enforcement, search and rescue, and national-defence operations.

Capable of cruising at a speed of 28k, the 46.93m-long cutter boat has been developed based on in-service parent craft design of the Damen Stan Patrol Boat 4708.

Being built under the Deepwater programme of the USCG, the Robert Yered crafts are powered by two 20-cylinder MTU engines and feature command, control, communications and computer technology and a stern launch system.

The boat’s command, control, communications, computer, intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance (C4ISR) equipment are fully interoperable with the USCG’s existing and future units as well as partners in the US Department of Defense (DoD) and Department of Homeland Security (DHS).

The USCG is procuring Sentinel-class patrol boats to replace its ageing fleet of 110ft Island-class cutters.