New Fast Response Cutter
Americas Bollinger Shipyards, has delivered a new fast response cutter (FRC) for the US Coast Guard, described as a “game changer” by senior coast guard officials.
The 154ft Charles David Jr is the seventh vessel in the US Coast Guard’s Sentinel Class FRC programme. It was built using a proven, in-service parent craft design based on the Damen Stan Patrol Boat 4708.
Charles David Jr has a speed of 28 knots, state of the art command, control, communications and computer technology. It also has a stern launch for the vessel’s 26ft cutter vessel.
The USCG’s FRC vessels are named after coast guard heroes who have distinguished them in the line of duty. This vessel is named after Stewards-Mate First Class, Charles David Jnr, who was posthumously awarded the Navy and Marine Corps Medal for bravery.
He was killed duing the Second World war while trying to rescue the crew of the USS Dorchester after it had been torpedoed by a U-Boat off the coast of Greenland.
Bollinger is a leading designer and builder of fast military patrol boats, double hull barges, offshore support vessels, tugs and lifeboats.
Robert Socha, executive vice president, Bollinger Shipyards, told Maritime Journal that Bollinger also specialises in repair and conversions, as well as regulatory repairs for European operators from eight US based repair facilities.
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