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Bollinger Shipyards has received federal funding to build more Coast Guard cutters. U.S. Sen. Mary L. Landrieu (D-La.) announced Friday that $250 million had been appropriated for Bollinger to construct six Fast Response Cutters as part of an extending contract with the Department of Defense.
“Acquiring funding for these fast response cutters was a high priority for me,” Landrieu said in a news release. “These exceptional ships will replace a portion of the Coast Guard’s aging patrol boat fleet and ensure its ability to carry out critical lifesaving, law enforcement, and homeland security missions for decades to come. What an extraordinary contribution for Louisiana to make to our national security.”
“From her role as chair of the Homeland Security Appropriations Subcommittee, Sen. Landrieu is in a unique position of influence, particularly over the Coast Guard’s budget,” CEO Donald “Boysie” Bollinger said in a printed statement. “I want to thank her for her leadership in securing this funding and for her constant focus on what needs to be done for Louisiana and for our coast. Bollinger Shipyard is proud to contribute to our country’s safety and security by building these six Fast Response Cutters for the Coast Guard.”
During December 2011, Landrieu announced funding for Bollinger Shipyards to build six FRCs for the Coast Guard. Building six ships in fiscal year 2012 compared to four in fiscal year 2011 fills the production line and generates savings of $5 million per ship, resulting in savings of $30 million for taxpayers. The funding is also expected to create 800 jobs for Louisianans.
This funding was part of a total $8.9 billion discretionary funding allocated to the Coast Guard in the U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s budget for FY 2012.
The six boats to be built by Bollinger Shipyards in Lockport will be ported in San Juan, Puerto Rico.
The Coast Guard intends to acquire 58 FRCs, of which 18 have been funded. In the fiscal year 2013 Senate Homeland Security Appropriations Landrieu included funding for another six FRCs to be built in Louisiana. That was four more than listed on a presidential request.
After dedicating its latest U.S. Coast Guard Sentinel Class Fast response cutter in March, Bollinger Shipyards has been awarded $250 million to build six more vessels. Bollinger has provided all of the patrol boats in the coast guard’s present fleet.
