Bollinger Shipyards LLC (“Bollinger”) has delivered the USCGC Clarence Sutphin (WPC-1147) to the U.S. Coast Guard in Key West, Florida. That is the one hundred and seventieth vessel Bollinger has delivered to the U.S. Coast Guard over a 35-year interval and the forty seventh Quick Response Cutter (“FRC”) delivered underneath the present program. The USCGC Clarence Sutphin is the ultimate of six FRCs to be home-ported in Manama, Bahrain, which can change the growing older 110’ Island Class Patrol Boats, constructed by Bollinger Shipyards 30 years in the past, supporting the Patrol Forces Southwest Asia (PATFORSWA), the U.S. Coast Guard’s largest abroad presence outdoors america. Earlier this yr on the commissioning ceremony of the USCGC Charles Moulthrope (WPC-1141), U.S. Coast Guard Commandant Admiral Karl Schultz lauded the “enhanced seakeeping” capabilities of the PATFORSWA-bound FRCs, saying “these ships are actually going to be sport altering of their new theater of operations” and “provide elevated alternatives for built-in joint operations with our Navy and Marine Corps colleagues” because the Coast Guard seeks to be a part of the whole-of-government answer set within the area.
Every FRC is known as for an enlisted Coast Guard hero who distinguished themselves within the line of obligation. Clarence Sutphin, Boatswain Mate First Class, USCG, was awarded the Bronze Star Medal for his brave actions throughout the invasion of Saipan Island in 1944. His quotation reads: “For heroic achievement in motion in opposition to enemy Japanese forces throughout the invasion of Saipan, Marianas Islands, on June 15 and 16, 1944. Swimming with a line via heavy surf to a tank lighter stranded on a reef, SUTPHIN remained aboard underneath mortar and artillery hearth till the boat was salvaged. Returning to the seaside, he aided in salvaging one other tank lighter underneath enemy hearth and, when a mortar shell struck a bunch of eight Marines, promptly handled the wounded and moved them to a primary help station. His braveness and grave concern for the security of others displays the very best credit score upon SUTPHIN and america Naval Service.”
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“Guaranteeing that the courageous women and men of the U.S. Coast Guard have probably the most state-of-the-art, superior vessels as they work to construct and preserve the required regional alliances to make sure maritime safety within the area is a high precedence,” stated Bollinger President & C.E.O. Ben Bordelon. “Bollinger is proud to proceed enhancing and supporting the U.S. Coast Guard’s operational presence within the Center East and guaranteeing it stays the popular associate world wide.”
PATFORSWA consists of six cutters, shoreside assist personnel, and the Maritime Engagement Workforce. The unit’s mission is to coach, set up, equip, assist and deploy combat-ready Coast Guard Forces in assist of U.S. Central Command and nationwide safety targets. PATFORSWA works with Naval Forces Central Command in furthering their targets to conduct persistent maritime operations to ahead U.S. pursuits, deter and counter disruptive nations, defeat violent extremism and strengthen associate nations’ maritime capabilities to be able to promote a safe maritime surroundings.
The FRC is an operational “sport changer,” in response to senior Coast Guard officers. FRCs are persistently being deployed in assist of the total vary of missions inside america Coast Guard and different branches of our armed companies. This is because of its distinctive efficiency, expanded operational attain and capabilities, and skill to rework and adapt to the mission. FRCs have performed operations so far as the Marshall Islands—a 4,400 nautical mile journey from their homeport. Measuring in at 154-feet, FRCs have a flank pace of 28 knots, state-of-the-art C4ISR suite (Command, Management, Communications, Computer systems, Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance), and stern launch and restoration ramp for a 26-foot, over-the-horizon interceptor cutter boat.
Bollinger Shipyards LLC (www.bollingershipyards.com) has a 75-year legacy as a number one designer and builder of excessive efficiency navy patrol boats and salvage vessels, analysis vessels, ocean-going double hull barges, offshore oil area assist vessels, tugboats, rigs, raise boats, inland waterways push boats, barges, and different metal and aluminum merchandise from its new development shipyards as a part of the U. S. maritime protection industrial base. Bollinger has 11 shipyards, all strategically positioned all through Louisiana with direct entry to the Gulf of Mexico, Mississippi River and the Intracoastal Waterway. Bollinger is the most important vessel restore firm within the Gulf of Mexico area.
