USCG commissions 18th FRC
The US Coast Guard (USCG) has commissioned its 18th fast response cutter (FRC), USCGC Joseph Tezanos, in San Juan, Puerto Rico, it was announced on 26 August. It is the sixth cutter stationed in San Juan.
There are already 17 in service: five in San Juan, six in Miami and six in Key West. The USCG is acquiring upto 58 FRCs to conduct critical missions and patrol the near-offshore environment. The missions include national defence; fishery patrols; ports, waterways, and coastal security; drug and migrant interdiction; and search and rescue. It has so far ordered 38 cutters.
These vessels are replacing Island-class patrol boats and feature new command, control, communications, computers, intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance equipment; improved habitability and sea-keeping; and standardised cutter boat deployment from astern or via side davits.
The commission of the next 154ft FRC, which will be stationed in Cape May, New Jersey, is planned for November 2016.
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