CG requests 2nd PSC, 3rd OPC

ARLINGTON, Va. - The U.S. Coast Guard plans to fully fund the second polar security cutter (PSC) and third offshore patrol cutter (OPC), according to its FY 2021 U.S. Department of Homeland Security budget requests. The CG overall is seeking $12.3B for FY-21, $77M more than enacted for FY-20. The budget requests $555M to fully fund the second PSC. The CG plans to procure a total of six PSCs to replace the service’s only operating heavy icebreaker, the Polar Star. The first PSC is being built by VT Halter Marine of Pascagoula, Miss. The budget also requests $15M for a multiyear service-life extension for Polar Star. $546M to construct the third OPC also provides for long-lead materials for a fourth. The 25 OPPCs planned will replace the service’s medium-endurance cutters. Eastern Shipbuilding Group of Panama City, Fla., is building the first OPC with options for three more. The CG plans a gap in procurement of the Sentinel-class fast-response cutters (FRCs), with 37 delivered so far of a planned purchase of 58. However, the service is proposing $15M for program support and sustainment of the Sentinel class. The FRCs are replacing Island-class patrol boats. Bollinger Shipyard of Lockport, La., is building earlier FRCs. (Source: Seapower 02/12/20) Bollinger Shipyards delivered the 154-foot Edgar Culbertson, the 37th FRC to the CG on Feb. 6 in Key West, Fla. https://seapowermagazine.org/2021-coast-guard-budget-seeks-second-polar-security-cutter/