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US Coast Guard awards contracts for second, third offshore patrol cutter

Offshore Patrol Cutter
Photo: Eastern Shipbuilding Group

The US Coast Guard awarded Eastern Shipbuilding Group (ESG) a contract modification on April 2 to begin construction of the second offshore patrol cutter (OPC) and to acquire long lead-time material (LLTM) for the third OPC.

The second OPC, to be named Chase, is scheduled to be delivered by ESG in 2023.

The total value of the construction and LLTM orders is $343 million. In addition to ordering construction of the second OPC, this contracting action also covers the initial order of components and materials necessary to support the future construction of the third OPC by acquiring propeller and steering components, marine diesel engines, the ship integrated control system, switchboards, and generators.

The lead OPC, Argus, is currently in production at ESG’s shipyard in Panama City, Florida. The ship is scheduled for delivery in 2022, after starting construction on January 7, 2019.

The US Coast Guard announced the contract modification after awarding contracts to eight shipbuilders for OPC studies for the assessment of OPC design and technical data and the program’s construction approach. The industry studies are expected to inform service’s follow-on acquisition strategy after the program was set back by a 2018 hurricane, which caused heavy damages ESG’s shipyard.

The Heritage-class OPCs will replace the service’s aging medium endurance cutters, which are becoming increasingly expensive to maintain and operate. The coast guard plans to buy a total of 25 vessels in the class.