Lockport, La.-based Bollinger Shipyards has delivered the Raymond Evans, the 10th Fast Response Cutter (FRC) to the United States Coast Guard.
“We are extremely proud to announce the delivery of the Raymond Evans the latest FRC built by Bollinger, to the 7th Coast Guard District in Key West, Fla.," said Bollinger President, Chris Bollinger. "We look forward to the vessel’s commissioning, honoring and celebrating the heroic acts of Commander Raymond Evans.”
The 154' patrol craft Raymond Evans is the 10th vessel in the Coast Guard's Sentinel-class FRC program. To build the FRC, Bollinger used a proven, in-service parent craft design based on the Damen Stan Patrol Boat 4708. It has a flank speed of 28 knots, state-of-the-art command, control, communications and computer technology, and a stern launch system for the vessels 26' cutter boat. The FRC has been described as an operational “game changer,” by senior Coast Guard officials.
The Coast Guard is scheduled to commission the vessel in Key West, Fla., during September 2014.
Each FRC is named for an enlisted Coast Guard hero who distinguished him or herself in the line of duty. This vessel is named after Coast Guard Hero, Commander Raymond Evans. Evans, who began his career as an apprentice seaman, was part of a dramatic rescue of a group of Marines pinned down by machine gun fire during the battle of Guadalcanal in September 1942 where he earned the Navy Cross. Evans performed his mission with valor and bravery.
