Bollinger delivers FRC 58: USCGC John Witherspoon
\n \t
\n
<\/BR>
\n
\n \t
\n
<\/BR><\/p>\n
Bollinger Shipyards yesterday announced the delivery of the U.S. Coast Guard Cutter (USCGC) John Witherspoon <\/em>at Coast Guard Sector Key West. This is the 58th Fast Response Cutter (FRC) delivered under the U.S. Coast Guard\u2019s current program and the 184th vessel built by Bollinger for the U.S. Coast Guard over a 40-year partnership. It will be homeported in Kodiak, Alaska.<\/p>\n \u201cWe are honored to deliver John Witherspoon<\/em> to the U.S. Coast Guard, continuing our proud tradition of providing high-quality, mission-ready vessels,\u201d said Bollinger president & CEO Ben Bordelon.<\/a> \u201cThe FRC platform has proven itself time and again as a cornerstone of the Coast Guard\u2019s fleet, excelling in a wide range of operational conditions. We\u2019re confident John Witherspoon<\/em> will serve its crew well in their mission of defending our nation\u2019s national security interests over a vast and challenging area of responsibility.\u201d<\/p>\n The John Witherspoon <\/em>will be the fourth FRC to join the fleet in Alaskan waters, reinforcing maritime security and bolstering the U.S. Coast Guard\u2019s ability to respond swiftly to emerging threats and protect vital infrastructure.<\/p>\n The Coast Guard\u2019s Fiscal Year 2025 Budget to Congress includes procuring two more FRCs to provide increased Coast Guard presence and engagement with allied countries in the Indo-Pacific region. As negotiations on federal appropriations continue, the future of the FRC program holds significant weight for both national security and the economy. The House of Representatives has approved funding for four additional Fast Response Cutters (FRCs) in its defense appropriations bill, providing a boost to the U.S. Coast Guard\u2019s fleet expansion. However, the Senate has yet to reach a consensus on future funding levels for the FRC program, leaving the long-term prospects for the program and the over 600 jobs that it supports at the Bollinger Lockport <\/a>shipyard in Louisiana uncertain.<\/p>\n \u201cWith over 600 jobs at our Lockport facility hanging in the balance, we\u2019re not just building ships \u2014 we\u2019re supporting families and communities throughout South Louisiana,\u201d said Bordelon. \u201cCongress has long supported the FRC program for its essential role in defending our coastline, but also for the livelihoods it sustains in our community. We are hopeful that these efforts will continue to receive robust bipartisan, bicameral support as Congress finalizes appropriations.\u201d<\/p>\n The post Bollinger delivers FRC 58: USCGC John Witherspoon<\/a> appeared first on Marine Log<\/a>.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n