The US Coast Guard has exercised its option for construction of a second offshore patrol cutter (OPC) by Eastern Shipbuilding Group of Panama City, Florida.
The 110- by 16-metre OPCs will be used to conduct multiple missions in support of US maritime security and border protection. The vessels will provide a capability bridge between the Legend-class national security cutters (NSCs), which patrol the open ocean, and the Sentinel-class fast response cutters (FRCs), which operate closer to shore.
The coast guard has also exercised its option for the acquisition of long lead time materials for the third OPC.