Bollinger Shipyards has delivered the 61st Sentinel-class Fast Response Cutter (FRC) to the U.S. Coast Guard, marking another milestone in the long-running modernization of America’s coastal-security fleet. Named USCGC Vincent D. Capodanno, the vessel will be stationed in Boston and support Atlantic area missions including search-and-rescue, counter-narcotics, and port-security patrols. The FRC program—valued at over $2 billion—has been central to the service’s recapitalization drive, replacing aging Island-class cutters with more capable, efficient, and better-armed platforms. Each FRC features advanced C4ISR systems, improved seakeeping, and expanded mission endurance. Bollinger Shipyards, the largest privately owned shipbuilder in the U.S., has delivered all Sentinel-class units since 2012 from its Louisiana facilities, sustaining thousands of jobs. Company CEO Ben Bordelon said the milestone reflects Bollinger’s “unwavering partnership” with the Coast Guard and commitment to maritime security. The FRC fleet has proven critical in intercepting drug smugglers, enforcing fisheries laws, and providing humanitarian relief across the Caribbean and Gulf of Mexico. The latest delivery aligns with Washington’s emphasis on domestic shipbuilding and resilient defense supply chains. With several additional hulls under construction, Bollinger is positioned to extend the program well into the next decade, reinforcing its reputation as a cornerstone of America’s maritime defense industry.
