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Marine Protector-class patrol boat

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
For other uses, see Protector class.

The class leader USCGC Barracuda underway. Note the boat launching ramp at the stern. The fifty caliber machine guns mount on pintles, port and starboard, just forward of the red stripe. The black smudge in the hull abaft the superstructure is the exhaust of the port engine.
Class overview
NameMarine Protector-class
BuildersBollinger Shipyards, Lockport, Louisiana
Operators
Preceded byPoint-class
In commission1998–present[1]
Completed77
Cancelled0
Active72
Retired6
General characteristics
Displacement91 long tons (204,000 lb; 92,000 kg)
Length87 ft (27 m)
Beam19 ft 5 in (5.92 m)
Draft5 ft 7 in (1.70 m)
Propulsion2 x MTU diesel engines
SpeedOver 25 knots (46 km/h; 29 mph)
Range900 nmi (1,000 mi; 1,700 km)
Endurance3 days
Complement10
Sensors and
processing systems		1 x AN/SPS-73 surface search radar
Armament2 × .50 caliber M2 Browning machine guns
Notes[2]

The Marine Protector-class patrol boat is a type of coastal patrol boat of the United States Coast Guard. The 87-foot-long (27 m) vessels are based on the Stan 2600 design by Damen Group and were built by Bollinger Shipyards of Lockport, Louisiana. Almost all of these boats have been delivered to the U.S. Coast Guard, which has named them after sea creatures that fly or swim. Four have been delivered to Malta and Yemen.[3]

History

[edit]
USCGC Sailfish in New York City
Tour of USCGC Haddock, c. 2020

The Coast Guard placed its original order in 1999 for 50 boats, which were delivered by mid-2002.[4] Several additional orders brought the class to a total of 77 ships. Seventy-five were delivered under the original Coast Guard contract with Bollinger, with the last, USCGC Sea Fox, being completed in October 2009.[5][6] Two of these were delivered to the Maritime Squadron of Malta.[3] A separate Coast Guard contract built two additional patrol boats for the Yemen Coast Guard.[7]

The Marine Protector class replaced the 82-foot Point class, which had smaller accommodations and had to stop to deploy its pursuit inflatable boat via crane. The last Point-class cutter was decommissioned in 2003.[8][9]

In 2020, the Department of Homeland Security began to decommission the fleet, with eight Marine Protector cutters replaced by newer Sentinel class cutters.[10]

In May 2021, the United States announced that it would send three decommissioned ships to the Lebanese Navy[11]

In 2022, three decommissioned ships, Albacore, Cochito, and Gannet were donated to the Uruguayan Navy under the Excess Defense Articles program. As part of the transfer deal, Uruguay spent $4.99 million to refurbish the ships, on spare parts, and to train their crews. They were renamed Rio Arapey, Rio De La Plata, and Rio Yaguaron.[12][13]

In 2023, the United States delivered two former Coast Guard Marine Protector-class ships to the Ghanaian Navy. They were commissioned as GNS Aflao and GNS Half Assini.[14]

In May 2023, the United States government pledged to provide the Philippines at least two Marine Protector vessels, as well as two Island-class patrol boat and three Lockheed C-130H Hercules during President Bongbong Marcos' visit to Washington, D.C.[15][16] The transferred vessels will be operated by the Philippine Navy.[17][18]

General characteristics

[edit]
USCGC Cochito launching a small boat from the stern ramp

Missions include combating drug smuggling, illegal immigration, marine fisheries enforcement and search and rescue support. Since the September 11, 2001 attacks, many have had a homeland security mission in the form of ports, waterways and coastal security (PWCS) patrols.[19]

Boarding parties can be launched while the vessel is underway through the cutter's stern launching ramp.[3] The attached rigid hull inflatable boat (RHIB) has been upgraded in an effort to increase speed and sea state sustainability for boarding parties and rescue and assistance teams. The stern launching system requires only a single crew member to remain on deck to launch or retrieve the boarding party.

The vessels consume approximately 165 gallons of diesel per hour at their maximum speed of 26 knots (48 km/h; 30 mph).

Like all new U.S. Coast Guard vessels, the Marine Protector class is designed to accommodate crews of mixed gender with five separate small berthing spaces accommodating standard crews of ten with maximum berthing for 12.[3]

Sea Devil and Sea Fox are assigned to guard a United States Navy submarine base in Kings Bay, Georgia, replacing the decommissioned Sea Dragon and Sea Dog at that station.[20] Sea Devil and Sea Fox earlier guarded another submarine base in Bangor, Washington. An additional machine gun operated by remote control was added to all four for this duty.[3]

Boats in class

[edit]
Image Name Hull Number Homeport Status
USCGC Barracuda WPB-87301 Eureka, California Active
USCGC Hammerhead WPB-87302 Woods Hole, Massachusetts
USCGC Mako WPB-87303 Cape May, New Jersey
USCGC Marlin WPB-87304 Fort Myers Beach, Florida
USCGC Stingray WPB-87305 Mobile, Alabama
USCGC Dorado WPB-87306 Crescent City, California Decommissioned on 25 May 2021. Donated to the Lebanese navy.
USCGC Osprey WPB-87307 Port Townsend, Washington
USCGC Chinook WPB-87308 New London, Connecticut
USCGC Albacore WPB-87309 New London, Connecticut Decommissioned on 6 April 2021. Donated to Uruguay, renamed ROU Rio Arapey.[21]
USCGC Tarpon WPB-87310 Tybee Island, Georgia
USCGC Cobia WPB-87311 Mobile, Alabama
USCGC Hawksbill WPB-87312 Monterey, California
USCGC Cormorant WPB-87313 South Padre Island, Texas Decommissioned
USCGC Finback WPB-87314 Cape May, New Jersey
USCGC Amberjack WPB-87315 South Padre Island, Texas
USCGC Kittiwake WPB-87316 Honolulu, Hawaii Decommissioned on 7 June 2021.
USCGC Blackfin WPB-87317 Santa Barbara, California
USCGC Bluefin WPB-87318 Fort Pierce, Florida
USCGC Yellowfin WPB-87319 Charleston, South Carolina
USCGC Manta WPB-87320 Freeport, Texas Decommissioned on 7 June 2021. Donated to the Lebanese navy.
USCGC Coho WPB-87321 Panama City, Florida
USCGC Kingfisher WPB-87322 Mayport, Florida
USCGC Seahawk WPB-87323
USCGC Steelhead WPB-87324 Port Aransas, Texas
USCGC Beluga WPB-87325 Little Creek, Virginia
USCGC Blacktip WPB-87326 Oxnard, California
USCGC Pelican WPB-87327 Abbeville, Louisiana
USCGC Ridley WPB-87328 Montauk, New York
USCGC Cochito WPB-87329 Little Creek, Virginia Decommissioned on 11 May 2021. Donated to Uruguay, renamed ROU Rio De La Plata.[21]
USCGC Manowar WPB-87330 Mobile, Alabama
USCGC Moray WPB-87331 Jonesport, Maine
USCGC Razorbill WPB-87332 Gulfport, Mississippi
USCGC Adelie WPB-87333 Port Angeles, Washington
USCGC Gannet WPB-87334 Dania, Florida Decommissioned on 20 April 2021. Donated to Uruguay, renamed ROU Rio Yaguaron.[21]
USCGC Narwhal WPB-87335 Corona Del Mar, California
USCGC Sturgeon WPB-87336 Grand Isle, Louisiana
USCGC Sockeye WPB-87337 Bodega Bay, California
USCGC Ibis WPB-87338 Cape May, New Jersey
USCGC Pompano WPB-87339 Gulfport, Mississippi
USCGC Halibut WPB-87340 Marina Del Rey, California
USCGC Bonito WPB-87341 Pensacola, Florida
USCGC Shrike WPB-87342 Port Canaveral, Florida
USCGC Tern WPB-87343 San Francisco, California
USCGC Heron WPB-87344 Sabine Pass, Texas
USCGC Wahoo WPB-87345 Port Angeles, Washington
USCGC Flying Fish WPB-87346 Boston, Massachusetts
USCGC Haddock WPB-87347 San Diego, California
USCGC Brant WPB-87348 Corpus Christi, Texas Decommissioned on 17 March 2022
USCGC Shearwater WPB-87349 Portsmouth, Virginia Decommissioned on 27 April 2021. Donated to the Lebanese navy.
USCGC Petrel WPB-87350 San Diego, California
P51 Hull number 87351 was assigned to a vessel that was given to the Malta Maritime Squadron, where it became P51.[3]
P52 Malta Maritime Squadron P52[3]
USCGC Sea Lion WPB-87352 Bellingham, Washington
USCGC Skipjack WPB-87353 Galveston, Texas
USCGC Dolphin WPB-87354 Miami, Florida
USCGC Hawk WPB-87355 St. Petersburg, Florida
USCGC Sailfish WPB-87356 Sandy Hook, New Jersey
USCGC Sawfish WPB-87357 Key West, Florida
USCGC Swordfish WPB-87358 Port Angeles, Washington
USCGC Tiger Shark WPB-87359 Newport, Rhode Island
USCGC Blue Shark WPB-87360 Everett, Washington
USCGC Sea Horse WPB-87361 Portsmouth, Virginia
USCGC Sea Otter WPB-87362 San Diego, California
USCGC Manatee WPB-87363 Corpus Christi, Texas
USCGC Ahi WPB-87364 Honolulu, Hawaii Decommissioned on 7 June 2021.
USCGC Pike WPB-87365 Petersburg, Alaska[22]
USCGC Terrapin WPB-87366 Bellingham, Washington
USCGC Sea Dragon WPB-87367 Decommissioned 29 May 2024 at St. Marys, Georgia and transferred to MCAS Cherry Point, North Carolina.[20]
USCGC Sea Devil WPB-87368 Kings Bay, Georgia In active service as of May 29, 2024.[20]
USCGC Crocodile WPB-87369 St Petersburg, Florida
USCGC Diamondback WPB-87370 Miami Beach, Florida
USCGC Reef Shark WPB-87371 Juneau, Alaska
USCGC Alligator WPB-87372 St. Petersburg, Florida
USCGC Sea Dog WPB-87373 Decommissioned 29 May 2024 at St. Marys, Georgia and transferred to MCAS Cherry Point, North Carolina.[20]
USCGC Sea Fox WPB-87374 Kings Bay, Georgia In active service as of May 29, 2024.[20]
Sana'a Yemen Coast Guard vessel.[3][7] Reportedly sunk by a mine on 9 March 2017.[23]
Aden Yemen Coast Guard vessel.[3][7]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ "WPB 87' Marine Protector Class". Globalsecurity.org. Archived from the original on 3 December 2016. Retrieved 13 February 2020.
  2. ^ "Coastal Patrol Boat" (PDF). USCG Acquisition Directorate. Archived (PDF) from the original on 27 August 2009. Retrieved 2 March 2011.
  3. ^ a b c d e f g h i Flynn Jr., James T. (23 June 2014). "U. S. Coast Guard: Small Cutters and Patrol Boats 1915–2012" (PDF). US Coast Guard. Archived (PDF) from the original on 19 November 2018. The four boats which are stationed at Kitsap, WA and Kings Bay, GA submarine bases have an extra remotely operated 50 cal. m.g.
  4. ^ "Patrol Boat". Marine Talk. 18 October 1999. Archived from the original on 26 November 2010.
  5. ^ Keyon K. Jeff (11 October 2009). "Bollinger Shipyards delivers final Marine Protector-class CPB". Tri-Parish Times. Archived from the original on 11 October 2009. We're very sad to see the Sea Fox leave. This contract was supposed to end at 51 vessels, and now we're at 75," said Christopher Bollinger, executive vice president of new construction.
  6. ^ "USCG Contract for Bollinger". Marine News. July 2007. p. 8. Archived from the original on 18 July 2014. Retrieved 17 July 2014. What began in 1996 as a contract from the U. S. Coast Guard to Bollinger Shipyards, Inc., to build an 87-foot Marine Protector Class Coastal Patrol Boat (CPB) with options, has led to the delivery of 67 of the CPBs, and the signing of eight more CPBs.
  7. ^ a b c "International Acquisition Programs". United States Coast Guard. 15 December 2009. The Coast Guard awarded a $28.2 million contract to Bollinger Shipyards, Inc., in Lockport, La., on September 11, 2009, to build two 87-foot Protector-class Coastal Patrol Boats for the Yemen Coast Guard.
  8. ^ "87-foot Coastal Patrol Boat (WPB) – Marine Protector Class". Marine Protector Class datasheet. US Coast Guard Historian's Office. Archived from the original on 17 May 2017. Retrieved 16 January 2012.
  9. ^ ""Last of the Class": USCGC PT BROWER (WPB 82372)". Transquest. 28 March 2003. Archived from the original on 17 April 2003. Retrieved 13 February 2020. On March 28th, 2003, the United States Coast Guard will transfer Coast Guard Cutter Point Brower (WPB 82372) to the country of Azerbaijan thus bringing an incredible era of "Point Class" vessels to an end.
  10. ^ "Department of Homeland Security, U.S. Coast Guard, Budget Overview, Fiscal Year 2021, Congressional Justification" (PDF). Department of Homeland Security. 2020. p. 27. Archived (PDF) from the original on 11 February 2020. Retrieved 13 February 2020. This initiative decommissions eight 87-foot Marine Protector Class CPBs. This initiative is based on the acquisition of the Fast Response Cutter (FRC) and Response Boat – Medium (RB-M), both of which are more capable than the legacy assets that they replace.
  11. ^ "The Lebanese Navy is Getting 7 New Offshore Patrol Vessels". 8 June 2021.
  12. ^ Montevideo, U. S. Embassy (18 November 2022). "U.S. Supports Uruguay Navy's Fleet Modernization with $8.69 million Protector Class Donation". U.S. Embassy in Uruguay. Retrieved 5 February 2024.
  13. ^ "Uruguayan Navy Modernizes Fleet with US Coast Guard Support". Diálogo Américas. 20 January 2022. Retrieved 5 February 2024.
  14. ^ "Ghana Navy commissions new vessels". Janes.com. Retrieved 6 February 2024.
  15. ^ Valmonte, Kaycee (2 May 2023). "US to transfer patrol boats, airplanes to Philippine military". Philstar Global. Archived from the original on 3 May 2023. Retrieved 3 May 2023.
  16. ^ "Philippines To Receive Four Ex-US Coast Guard Patrol Boats". Baird Maritime. 3 May 2023. Archived from the original on 3 May 2023. Retrieved 3 May 2023.
  17. ^ Nepomuceno, Priam (3 May 2023). "4 US patrol boats to beef up PH Navy's defense capabilities". Philippine News Agency. Archived from the original on 8 May 2023. Retrieved 8 May 2023.
  18. ^ "Understanding the United States' Patrol Boat Pledges to the Philippine Navy". Pitz Defense Analysis. 5 June 2023. Retrieved 5 June 2023.
  19. ^ "Office of Counterterrorism & Defense Operations Policy (CG-ODO)". US Coast Guard. 28 December 2016. Archived from the original on 20 May 2017. Retrieved 13 February 2020. The Homeland Security Act of 2002 divided the Coast Guard's eleven statutory missions between homeland security and non-homeland security. Reflecting the Coast Guard's historical role in defending our nation, the Act delineated Ports, Waterways and Coastal Security (PWCS) as the first homeland security mission.
  20. ^ a b c d e "PHOTO RELEASE: Coast Guard cutters Sea Dog, Sea Dragon decommissioned in St. Marys, Georgia" (Press release). Jacksonville, Florida: PADET Jacksonville, United States Coast Guard, Department of Homeland Security. 29 May 2024. Retrieved 30 May 2024.
  21. ^ a b c "Uruguay receives three Marine Protector-class patrol boats from US Coast Guard". 22 December 2021.
  22. ^ "17th District Units". United States Coast Guard - Pacific Area, U.S. Department of Homeland Security. Defense Media Activity. Retrieved 23 May 2024.
  23. ^ George, Seth (29 November 2018). "Maritime Incidents" (PDF). The Yemen Conflict & the Implications for Maritime Security (Report). p. 8. Retrieved 7 December 2019. 9 Mar 17 – Yemen Coast Guard Vessel Sana'a sank after reportedly making contact with a mine (two crew killed).

[1]

[edit]
  1. ^ "International Acquisition Programs". Acquisition Directorate. United States Coast Guard. 15 December 2009. Archived from the original on 31 January 2010.
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