April 26, 2022 —
The Coast Guard modified the Stage 1 contract with Eastern Shipbuilding Group April 25, 2022, to order construction of the fourth offshore patrol cutter. Image courtesy of Eastern Shipbuilding Group.
The Coast Guard modified its current contract with Eastern Shipbuilding Group (ESG) April 25 to begin construction of the fourth offshore patrol cutter (OPC). Contract delivery of the fourth OPC, to be named “Rush,” is scheduled to occur in 2025. The total value of this contracting action is $325.06 million.
The first three OPCs are currently in production at ESG’s shipyard in Panama City, Florida.
The OPC meets the service’s long-term need for cutters capable of deploying independently or as part of a larger task force and is essential to stopping smugglers at sea, rescuing mariners, enforcing fisheries laws, responding to disasters, interdicting non-citizens and protecting the nation. The acquisition of up to 25 OPCs will complement the capabilities of the service’s national security cutters and fast response cutters as an essential element of the Department of Homeland Security’s layered maritime security strategy.
For more information: Offshore Patrol Cutter Program page