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LATEST UPDATES

The Coast Guard accepted delivery of the 55th FRC, Melvin Bell, in Key West, Florida, Nov. 16, 2023.  


The Coast Guard commissioned the 54th fast response cutter (FRC), William Sparling, in New Castle, New Hampshire, October 19, 2023. This is the fifth of six FRCs to be homeported in Boston. 


The Coast Guard commissioned the 53rd FRC, John Patterson, in Portland, Maine, Aug. 10, 2023. Patterson will be the fourth of six FRCs to be homeported in Boston.

Fast Response Cutter

For more photos of the Fast Response Cutter, visit the image gallery on Flickr.


The Sentinel-class fast response cutter is a key component of the Coast Guard’s offshore fleet that is capable of deploying independently to conduct missions that include port, waterways and coastal security; fishery patrols; search and rescue; and national defense.

Why this program?

Named after Coast Guard enlisted heroes, the FRCs are replacing the aging Island-class 110-foot patrol boats. The Sentinel-class cutter project delivers vital capability to the Coast Guard, helping to meet the service’s need in the coastal zone and adjacent waters. FRCs facilitated hundreds of domestic fisheries boardings, apprehended 105 suspected drug smugglers, interdicted 18,877 kilograms of cocaine – depriving transnational criminal organizations of $787 million in profits – and rescued or interdicted 1,805 irregular maritime migrants during fiscal year 2021.

Acquisition strategy

The Coast Guard selected a “parent-craft” design for the Sentinel-class cutters to ensure that the operating force receives new vessels capable of performing the required missions, as quickly as possible. The Coast Guard coined the term “parent-craft” to describe the use of an existing ship design that has successfully performed equivalent missions.

The Coast Guard followed a disciplined acquisition strategy including careful analysis of operational requirements; conducting worldwide market research; close consultation with Coast Guard technical authorities; use of the services of the U.S. Navy, use of independent commercial agents; a full and open competition, and an assessment of the most competitive designs put forth by industry.

 

The fast response cutter is capable of deploying independently to conduct missions that include port, waterways and coastal security; fishery patrols; search and rescue; and national defense.

Characteristics

  • Number Planned: 65
  • 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

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
  • Bernard C. Webber (WPC 1101)
  • Richard Etheridge (WPC 1102)
  • William Flores (WPC 1103)
  • Robert Yered (WPC 1104)
  • Margaret Norvell (WPC 1105)
  • Paul Clark (WPC 1106)
  • Charles David Jr (WPC 1107)
  • Charles Sexton (WPC 1108)
  • Kathleen Moore (WPC 1109)
  • Raymond Evans (WPC 1110)
  • William Trump (WPC 1111)
  • Isaac Mayo (WPC 1112)
  • Richard Dixon (WPC 1113)
  • Heriberto Hernandez (WPC 1114)
  • Joseph Napier (WPC 1115)
  • Winslow Griesser (WPC 1116)
  • Donald Horsley (WPC 1117)
  • Joseph Tezanos (WPC 1118)
  • Rollin Fritch (WPC 1119)
  • Lawrence Lawson (WPC 1120)
  • John McCormick (WPC 1121)
  • Bailey Barco (WPC 1122)
  • Benjamin Dailey (WPC 1123)
  • Oliver Berry (WPC 1124)
  • Jacob Poroo (WPC 1125)
  • Joseph Gerczak (WPC 1126)
  • Richard Snyder (WPC 1127)
  • Nathan Bruckenthal (WPC 1128)
  • Forrest Rednour (WPC 1129)
  • Robert Ward (WPC 1130)
  • Terrell Horne (WPC 1131)
  • Benjamin Bottoms (WPC 1132)
  • Joseph Doyle (WPC 1133)
  • William Hart (WPC 1134)
  • Angela McShan (WPC 1135)
  • Daniel Tarr (WPC 1136)
  • Edgar Culbertson (WPC 1137)
  • Harold Miller (WPC 1138)
  • Myrtle Hazard (WPC 1139)
  • Oliver Henry (WPC 1140)
  • Charles Moulthrope (WPC 1141)
  • Robert Goldman (WPC 1142)
  • Frederick Hatch (WPC 1143)
  • Glen Harris (WPC 1144)
  • Emlen Tunnell (WPC 1145)
  • John Scheuerman (WPC 1146)
  • Clarence Sutphin Jr (WPC 1147)
  • Pablo Valent (WPC 1148)
  • Douglas Denman (WPC 1149)
  • William Chadwick (WPC 1150)
  • Warren Deyampert (WPC 1151)
  • Maurice Jester (WPC 1152)
  • John Patterson (WPC 1153)
  • William Sparling (WPC 1154)
  • Hull #55 Melvin Bell
  • Hull #56 David Duren
  • Hull #57 Florence Finch
  • Hull #58 John Witherspoon
  • Hull #59 Earl Cunningham
  • Hull #60 Frederick Mann
  • Hull #61 Olivia Hooker
  • Hull #62 Vincent Danz
  • Hull #63 Jeffrey Palazzo
  • Hull #64 Marvin Perrett
  • Hull #65 TBD

FRC: In the News

2023

Nov. 17, 2023 - 55th fast response cutter accepted, to be homeported in Boston

Oct. 23, 2023 - Fifth New England-based fast response cutter commissioned in New Castle, New Hampshire

Aug. 11, 2023 - Coast Guard commissions 53rd fast response cutter in Portland, Maine

July 21, 2023 - Coast Guard accepts 54th fast response cutter

June 5, 2023 - Coast Guard commissions third New England-based fast response cutter

May 12, 2023 - Coast Guard accepts 53rd fast response cutter

April 2, 2023 - Coast Guard commissions second New England-based fast response cutter

March 3, 2023 - Coast Guard accepts 52nd fast response cutter

2022

Dec. 22, 2022 - Coast Guard accepts 51st fast response cutter

Nov. 14, 2022 - Coast Guard commissions first New England-based fast response cutter

Sept. 30, 2022 - Coast Guard commissions 49th fast response cutter in Alaska

Aug. 12, 2022 - Coast Guard exercises contract option to build one fast response cutter

Aug. 5, 2022 - Coast Guard accepts 50th fast response cutter

May 27, 2022 - Coast Guard accepts 49th fast response cutter

May 13, 2022 - Coast Guard commissions 48th fast response cutter in Florida

April 25, 2022 - Coast Guard commissions 47th fast response cutter in New York City

March 22, 2022 - Coast Guard accepts 48th fast response cutter

Feb. 24, 2022 - Coast Guard commissions 46th fast response cutter in Florida

Feb. 11, 2022 - FRC Emlen Tunnell continues namesake’s legacy of saving lives and advancing cross-cultural exchange

Jan. 7, 2022 - Coast Guard accepts 47th fast response cutter

2021

Dec. 13, 2021 - Coast Guard cutters Glen Harris and Emlen Tunnell transition to Patrol Forces Southwest Asia

Oct. 22, 2021 - Coast Guard accepts 46th fast response cutter

Oct. 18, 2021 - Coast Guard commissions 45th fast response cutter in Pennsylvania

Aug. 9, 2021 - Coast Guard commissions fast response cutter in North Carolina

Aug. 6, 2021 - Coast Guard exercises contract option for FRCs 61-64

July 29, 2021 - Coast Guard commissions 3 fast response cutters in Guam

July 1, 2021 - Coast Guard accepts 45th fast response cutter

May 26, 2021 - Coast Guard cutters arrive at Bahrain homeport

April 22, 2021 - Coast Guard accepts 44th fast response cutter

April 7, 2021 - Coast Guard cutters depart on historic journey to new homeport

March 14, 2021 - Coast Guard commissions 42nd fast response cutter

Feb. 11, 2021 - Coast Guard accepts 43rd fast response cutter

Jan. 22, 2021 - Coast Guard commissions 41st fast response cutter

2020

Dec. 22, 2020 - Coast Guard accepts 42nd fast response cutter

Oct. 22, 2020 - Coast Guard accepts 41st fast response cutter

Sept. 22, 2020 - Coast Guard exercises contract option for FRCs 57-60

July 30, 2020 - Coast Guard accepts 40th fast response cutter

July 15, 2020 - Coast Guard commissions 38th fast response cutter

June 11, 2020 - Coast Guard commissions 37th fast response cutter

May 29, 2020 - Coast Guard accepts 39th fast response cutter

April 2, 2020 - Coast Guard accepts 38th fast response cutter

Feb. 7, 2020 - Coast Guard accepts 37th fast response cutter

Jan. 13, 2020 - Coast Guard commissions 36th fast response cutter

2019

Nov. 7, 2019 - Coast Guard accepts 36th fast response cutter

Oct. 29, 2019 - Coast Guard commissions 35th fast response cutter

Sept. 27, 2019 - Coast Guard commissions 34th fast response cutter

Aug. 6, 2019 - Coast Guard exercises contract option for FRCs 51-56

Aug. 2, 2019 - Coast Guard accepts 35th fast response cutter

May 23, 2019 - Coast Guard accepts 34th fast response cutter

May 2, 2019 - Coast Guard commissions 32nd fast response cutter

March 22, 2019 - Coast Guard commissions 31st fast response cutter

March 22, 2019 - Coast Guard accepts 33rd fast response cutter

March 5, 2019 - Coast Guard commissions 30th fast response cutter

Jan. 31, 2019 - Coast Guard accepts 32nd fast response cutter

2018

Nov. 9, 2018 - Coast Guard commissions 29th fast response cutter

Oct. 31, 2018 - Coast Guard accepts 31st fast response cutter

Sept. 10, 2018 - FRCs aid in hurricane response, Coast Guard FRC program grows

Aug. 22, 2018 - Coast Guard accepts 30th fast response cutter

July 25, 2018 - Coast Guard commissions 28th fast response cutter

June 7, 2018 - Coast Guard accepts 29th fast response cutter

April 20, 2018 - Coast Guard commissions 27th fast response cutter

March 29, 2018 - Coast Guard accepts 28th fast response cutter

March 12, 2018 - Coast Guard commissions 26th fast response cutter

Feb. 9, 2018 - Coast Guard accepts 27th fast response cutter

2017

Dec. 8, 2017 - Coast Guard commissions 25th fast response cutter

Nov. 9, 2017- Coast Guard accepts 26th fast response cutter

Nov. 1, 2017 - Coast Guard commissions 24th fast response cutter

Oct. 4, 2017 - Coast Guard crews escort, provide security for USNS Comfort in San Juan

Oct. 3, 2017 - Coast Guard cutter delivers critical prescription medication to St. Croix following hurricane

Sept. 27, 2017 - Coast Guard Cutter Donald Horsley crew delivers supplies to Puerto Rico

Sept. 25, 2017 - First fast response cutter arrives in Honolulu

Sept. 19, 2017 - Fast response cutters aid Hurricane Irma relief in Virgin Islands

Sept. 5, 2017 - Coast Guard accepts 25th fast response cutter

July 5, 2017 - Coast Guard commissions 23rd fast response cutter

June 28, 2017 - Acquisition update: Coast Guard accepts 24th fast response cutter

June 16, 2017 - Acquisition update: Coast Guard exercises contract option for FRCs 39-44

June 15, 2017 - Acquisition update: Coast Guard commissions 22nd fast response cutter

April 20, 2017 - Acquisition update: Coast Guard accepts 23rd fast response cutter

April 13, 2017 - Acquisition update: Coast Guard commissions 21st fast response cutter

March. 20, 2017 - Acquisition update: Coast Guard commissions 20th fast response cutter

Feb. 8, 2017 - Acquisition update: Coast Guard accepts 22nd fast response cutter

2016

Dec. 13, 2016 - Acquisition Update: Coast Guard Accepts 21st Fast Response Cutter

Nov. 21, 2016 - Acquisition Update: Coast Guard Commissions 19th Fast Response Cutter

Oct. 21, 2016 - Acquisition Update: Coast Guard Accepts 20th Fast Response Cutter

Aug. 26, 2016 - Acquisition Update: Coast Guard Commissions 18th Fast Response Cutter

Aug. 23, 2016 - Acquisition Update: Coast Guard Accepts 19th Fast Response Cutter

June 23, 2016 - Acquisition Update: Coast Guard Accepts 18th Fast Response Cutter

May 20, 2016 - Acquisition Update: Coast Guard Commissions 17th Fast Response Cutter

May 4, 2016 - Acquisition Update: Coast Guard Awards Phase 2 FRC Contract

March 14, 2016 - Acquisition Update: Coast Guard Commissions 16th Fast Response Cutter

March 7, 2016 - Acquisition Update: Coast Guard Accepts 17th Fast Response Cutter

Feb. 1, 2016 - Acquisition Update: Coast Guard Commissions 15th Fast Response Cutter

2015

Dec. 24, 2015 - Acquisition Update: Sixteenth FRC Delivered To Coast Guard

Oct. 21, 2015 - Acquisition Update: 15th Fast Response Cutter Delivered To Coast Guard

Oct. 19, 2015 - Acquisition Update: Coast Guard Commissions 14th Fast Response Cutter

July 31, 2015 - 14th Fast Response Cutter Delivered To Coast Guard

July 1, 2015 - Acquisition Update: 13th Fast Response Cutter Arrives At San Juan Home Port

June 22, 2015 - Acquisition Update: Coast Guard Commissions 13th Fast Response Cutter

April 17, 2015 - Acquisition Update: 13th Fast Response Cutter Delivered To Coast Guard

March 30, 2015 - Acquisition Update: Coast Guard Commissions 12th Fast Response Cutter

Feb. 27, 2015 - Acquisition Update: Coast Guard Issues Request For Proposal For Fast Response Cutters 33-58

Feb. 27, 2015 - Acquisition Update: Coast Guard Exercises Contract Option For Fast Response Cutters 31 And 32

Feb. 27, 2015 - Acquisition Update: Coast Guard Reveals Names of FRCs 26-35

Jan. 27, 2015 - Coast Guard Commissions 11th Fast Response Cutter Into Service

Jan. 16, 2015 - Acquisition Update: 12th Fast Response Cutter Delivered To Coast Guard

2014

Nov. 25, 2014 - Acquisition Update: Fast Response Cutter Delivered To Coast Guard

Sept. 8, 2014 - Acquisition Update: Coast Guard Commissions 10th Fast Response Cutter Into Service

July 23, 2014 - Acquisition Update: Contract Option Exercised for Six Fast Response Cutters

June 26, 2014 - Acquisition Update: Tenth Fast Response Cutter Delivered to the Coast Guard

May 30, 2014 - Acquisition Update: Draft Request for Proposal for Second FRC Production Phase Released

May 10, 2014 - Acquisition Update: Coast Guard Commissions Ninth Fast Response Cutter into Service

March 28, 2014 - Acquisition Update: Ninth Fast Response Cutter Delivered to the Coast Guard

March 13, 2014 - Acquisition Update: Coast Guard Commissions Eighth Fast Response Cutter into Service

Feb. 27, 2014 - Acquisition Update: Coast Guard Unveils Names of FRCs 16-25

2013

Dec. 10, 2013 - Acquisition Update: Eighth Fast Response Cutter Delivered to the Coast Guard

Nov. 16, 2013 - Acquisition Update: Coast Guard Commissions Seventh Fast Response Cutter into Service

Sept. 25, 2013 - Acquisition Update: Contract Option Exercised for Six More Fast Response Cutters

Sept. 18, 2013 - Acquisition Update: Sentinel-class Fast Response Cutter Project Achieves Acquisition Milestone

Aug. 24, 2013 - Acquisition Update: Coast Guard Commissions Sixth Fast Response Cutter into Service

Aug. 17, 2013 - Acquisition Update: Seventh Fast Response Cutter Delivered to the Coast Guard

May 21, 2013 - Acquisition Update: Sixth Fast Response Cutter Delivered to the Coast Guard

March 22, 2013 - Acquisition Update: Fifth Fast Response Cutter Delivered to the Coast Guard