The U.S. Coast Guard has awarded Bollinger Shipyards, Lockport, La., a contract for the construction of 10 additional Sentinel-Class fast response cutters (FRCs), the shipbuilder announced Wednesday.
The award, funded through the $1 billion allocated for FRCs in the recently enacted One Big Beautiful Bill Act, brings the total number of FRCs under contract from 67 to 77. Bollinger has delivered 60 cutters to date, with the previous final delivery scheduled for 2028. The additional vessels will extend the program by approximately three years.
The 154'x26' FRC is a multi-mission patrol vessel designed to support a range of Coast Guard operations, including law enforcement, search and rescue, and national defense. The platform has been in service since 2012, replacing the 110' Island-class patrol boats.
“With this award, the Coast Guard is doubling down on a proven platform and a proven team,” said Ben Bordelon, president and CEO of Bollinger Shipyards. “Our workforce has delivered nearly 200 cutters, including 60 FRCs, in our more than 40‑year partnership with the Coast Guard.”
Rear Adm. Mike Campbell, the Coast Guard’s director of systems integration and chief acquisition officer, called the contract “a historic accomplishment,” noting it is the first cutter program award using over $100 million in reconciliation funds.
“This decision reflects our unwavering confidence in your capabilities, expertise, and longstanding commitment to excellence within the maritime industry,” the Coast Guard stated in its award notification to Bollinger.
According to Bollinger, the company previously proceeded “at-risk” earlier this year by purchasing long-lead materials and maintaining its workforce to prevent production delays and cost increases while awaiting contract funding.
“This award secures stability for our 650 skilled shipbuilders in Lockport, Louisiana, and supports thousands more across our national supply chain of 965 suppliers in 37 states,” Bordelon said.
Economic data cited from the U.S. Maritime Administration estimates the FRC program has generated over $2 billion in material spending and contributes $202 million annually to GDP through direct and indirect employment.
Each cutter is built from more than 271,000 distinct items and about 282 million components, according to Bollinger.
The FRCs are part of the Coast Guard’s broader Force Design 2028 modernization effort. In addition to the FRC program, Bollinger is currently involved in several other government shipbuilding efforts, including the polar security cutter, Navy auxiliary vessels, and research ships for the National Science Foundation.
