U.S. Coast Guard press release
This option brings the total number of FRCs under contract with Bollinger to 64 and the total value of the Phase 2 contract to approximately $1.7 billion. The FRCs built under this option will be delivered between October 2024 and June 2025.
To date, there are 43 FRCs in operational service.
FRCs have a maximum speed of over 28 knots, a range of 2,500 nautical miles and an endurance of five days. The ships are designed for multiple missions, including drug and migrant interdiction; ports, waterways and coastal security; fishery patrols; search and rescue; and national defense. They feature advanced command, control, communications, computers, intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance equipment; over-the-horizon cutter boat deployment to reach vessels of interest; and improved habitability and seakeeping.
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About Sentinel-class FRC
The FRC are built by the Louisiana-based firm Bollinger Shipyards, using a design from the Netherlands-based Damen Group, with the Sentinel design based on the company’s Damen Stan 4708 patrol vessel.
USCG Sentinel-class FRC features
- Enhanced response time with a minimum top speed of 28 knots
- Ability to conduct missions on moderate seas up to transit speed for eight hours in all directions
- Ability to survive on very rough seas up to loiter speed for eight hours in all directions
- Armed with a stabilized 25-mm machine gun mount and four crew-served .50-caliber machine guns
- Fully interoperable command and control systems with Coast Guard existing and future assets and with the departments of Homeland Security and Defense
USCG Sentinel-class FRC characteristics
- Length: 154 feet
- Beam: 25 feet
- Draft: 9 feet 6 inches
- Displacement: 353 long tons
- Maximum Speed: 28+ knots
- Range: 2,500 nautical miles
- Endurance: Five days
- Crew: 24
