April 30, 2020 —
Artistic rendering courtesy of Eastern Shipbuilding Group
The Coast Guard and Eastern Shipbuilding Group commenced cutting steel for the second offshore patrol cutter (OPC), Chase, in Panama City, Florida, April 27. The Coast Guard ordered production of the second OPC and acquisition of long lead-time material for the third OPC April 2. Contract delivery of Chase is scheduled to occur in 2023. The Coast Guard plans to acquire 25 of the Heritage-class OPCs.
The OPC meets the service’s long-term need for cutters capable of deploying independently or as part of task groups and is essential to stopping smugglers at sea, interdicting undocumented migrants, rescuing mariners, enforcing fisheries laws, responding to disasters and protecting ports. The acquisition of 25 OPCs will complement the capabilities of the Service’s national security cutters, fast response cutters and polar security cutters as an essential element of the Department of Homeland Security’s layered security strategy.
For more information: Offshore Patrol Cutter Program page