TSAMTO, August 3. On July 29, the command of the US Coast Guard announced the launch ceremony of three new fast patrol boats FRC (Fast Response Cutter) of the Sentinel class, which took place at the Apra Harbor base (Guam).
These are the boats (WPC 1139) "Myrtle Hazard", (WPC 1140) "Oliver Henry" and (WPC 1143) "Frederick Hatch".
Like the Island-class patrol boats previously stationed on Guam, they will ensure the security of Guam, the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands and other US partners in Oceania.
As reported by TSAMTO, the initial contract worth $ 88 million for the design and construction of the lead ship of the FRC (Fast Response Cutter) series was concluded following a tender with Bollinger Shipyards in September 2008. The Sentinel-class boats are designed to replace the outdated Island-class boats. The agreement contained options for the supply of additional series boats to the Coast Guard. To date, the Coast Guard has ordered a total of 64 boats.
The Sentinel-class boat was developed on the basis of the Damen Stan Patrol 4708 project of the Dutch shipbuilding company Damen Shipyards. Its length is 46.9 m, displacement-about 200 tons, speed-28 knots, cruising range - up to 2500 nautical miles, autonomy – 5 days. The boats are armed with a stabilized 25-mm AU and four 12.7-mm machine guns.
The Sentinel-class boats are designed to counter illegal migration and smuggling, control fishing, conduct search and rescue operations, and ensure the security of ports and waterways.
