Bollinger Shipyards on Thursday introduced it has delivered the USCGC Melvin Bell to the U.S. Coast Guard in Key West, Fla. That is the 181st vessel Bollinger has delivered to the U.S. Coast Guard over a 35-year interval and the fifty fifth Quick Response Cutter (FRC) delivered beneath the present program.
“We’re extremely proud to ship the USCGC Melvin Bell, the ultimate of six Quick Response Cutters to be homeported in Boston, the birthplace of the U.S. Coast Guard,” mentioned Bollinger president and CEO, Ben Bordelon. “We’re assured that pound for pound, the standard and capabilities of the FRC platform are unmatched and that this vessel will outperform its mission necessities and expectations within the difficult situations the place it’s going to function within the North Atlantic. Our distinctive expertise constructing for the Coast Guard is unparalleled and has proven time and time once more that we efficiently ship the best high quality vessels on a dependable, aggressive manufacturing schedule. We sit up for persevering with our historic partnership with the U.S. Coast Guard.”
The USCGC Melvin Bell would be the sixth of six FRCs to be homeported in Sector Boston, which is called “The Birthplace of the Coast Guard.” The sector is chargeable for coastal security, safety, and environmental safety from the New Hampshire-Massachusetts border southward to Plymouth, Mass. out to 200nm offshore. Sector Boston directs over 1,500 Lively Obligation, Reserve, and Auxiliary members whose mission is to guard and safe very important infrastructure, rescue mariners in peril at sea, implement federal regulation, preserve navigable waterways, and reply to all hazards impacting the maritime transportation system and coastal area.
The Coast Guard’s FY2024 Unfunded Priorities Checklist consists of procuring 4 extra FRCs (which might be the 66th via 69th vessels in this system) to supply elevated Coast Guard presence and engagement with allied and associate nations within the Indo-Pacific area. Earlier this yr, Adm. Linda Fagan, the commandant of the U.S. Coast Guard, mentioned, “The Indo-Pacific is clearly a consequential area for America’s future. The USA Indo-Pacific Technique identifies an expanded function for the U.S. Coast Guard as a high Administration precedence as we search to make sure a area that’s free and open. The U.S. Coast Guard will proceed its lengthy historical past of operational presence within the area with extra cutter patrols and deployable specialised forces.”
Every FRC is called for an enlisted Coast Guard hero who distinguished themselves within the line of obligation. Bell, a minority pioneer and Pacific battle hero was a patriot whose distinguished profession in service of his nation spanned 65 years in navy and civil service. Throughout his active-duty profession, Bell held many distinctions. In 1943 he turned the primary Pacific Islander superior to chief petty officer. He later held the excellence of a twin score as Chief Radioman and Chief Electronics Technician. In 1958 he turned the primary minority Grasp Chief within the historical past of the Coast Guard. His decorations included the Coast Guard Good Conduct Medal (5 awards), Navy Commendation Medal, Navy Unit Commendation, Nationwide Protection Service Medal, Asiatic Pacific Marketing campaign Medal, American Protection Medal, American Marketing campaign Medal and Victory World Struggle II Medal.
The FRC is an operational “recreation changer,” in accordance with 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 resulting from its distinctive efficiency, expanded operational attain and capabilities, and skill to remodel and adapt to the mission. FRCs have carried out operations so far as the Marshall Islands—a 4,400 nautical mile journey from their homeport. Measuring in at 154 toes, FRCs have a flank pace of 28 knots, cutting-edge 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.
