Shipbuilder Austal USA has laid the keel of the future USCGC Pickering Offshore Patrol Cutter (OPC) destined for the U.S. Coast Guard.
As per an Austal USA press statement, the boat will be the first Heritage-class OPC to be built at the company’s Mobile yard in Alabama and one of up to 11 boats currently planned in the class. The total potential value of the contract is $3.3 billion; at present there are confirmed orders for six boats.
Austal USA also began work on the construction of its second Heritage-class OPC, the future USCGC Icarus, in August this year.
The 110-metre OPCs displace 4,500 tons, have a range of 10,200 nautical miles and can achieve a top speed of about 22 knots.
The ships are designed to operate as standalone platforms or as part of wider task groups and can execute a range of missions including law enforcement, counter-narcotics operations, search and rescue, natural disaster response and mass migration incidents.
As per the press statement: “The cutters will also support Arctic objectives by helping regulate and protect emerging commerce and energy exploration in Alaska.”
At Monday’s keel-laying ceremony Dr. Meghan Pickering Seymour — a descendant of Colonel Timothy Pickering, the namesake of the first USCGC Pickering launched in 1798 — welding her initials onto a keel plate in front of assembled dignitaries.
Austal USA President Michelle Kruger commented: “Meeting this important milestone for the Coast Guard’s Offshore Patrol Cutter program is a significant achievement that underscores our commitment to the on-time delivery of the cutters the USCG needs.”
- You can read more details on the Austal USA website