Christmas came early for the U.S. Coast Guard when the agency took delivery of its newest fast response cutter from Bollinger Shipyards on Dec. 23.
The Lockport, La.-based shipbuilder delivered the Winslow Greisser in Key West, Fla., and the Coast Guard is scheduled to commission the vessel in Puerto Rico in March.
The 154’ patrol craft is the 16th vessel in the Coast Guard's Sentinel-class FRC program. Bollinger based its FRC design on the Damen Stan Patrol Boat 4708, obtaining a vessel with 28 knots flank speed. The cutter carries a 26’ over-the-horizon long range cutter boat with a stern launch and recovery system.
Each FRC is named for an enlisted Coast Guard hero who distinguished him or herself in the line of duty. The newest is named for Winslow W. Griesser, keeper of the Buffalo Life-Saving Station in New York, who was awarded the Gold Lifesaving Medal for his heroic actions during a rescue on Nov. 21, 1900.
