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Home > News Releases > News 2016
Acquisition Update: Coast Guard Commissions 17th Fast Response Cutter
May 20, 2016
The crew of Coast Guard Cutter Donald Horsley salutes as the ship is brought to life during its commissioning at Coast Guard Sector San Juan, Puerto Rico, May 20, 2016. Donald Horsley is the Coast Guard’s 17th Sentinel-class fast response cutter and the fifth stationed in San Juan, Puerto Rico. U.S. Coast Guard photo by Ricardo Castrodad.
The Coast Guard commissioned its 17th fast response cutter, Coast Guard Cutter Donald Horsley, in San Juan, Puerto Rico, today.
The cutter is the fifth FRC stationed in San Juan. Twelve additional FRCs are in service in Florida, six in Miami and six in Key West.
The 17th FRC was named after Donald Horsley, whose 44-year Coast Guard career spanned three wars and service on 34 cutters. Horsley enlisted in 1942 and during World War II participated in the invasion of southern France and the invasion of Okinawa. During the Vietnam War, he served 41 months as the senior enlisted person in charge of Division 13, Coast Guard Squadron One out of Cat Lo, which consisted of 82-foot patrol boats tasked with the maritime interdiction of the reinforcement and resupply of communist forces in South Vietnam. During this assignment, Horsley earned the Bronze Star with a Combat “V”, in part due to his participation in more than 100 combat patrols while coming under intense enemy fire on 11 separate occasions. He received several other personal and unit awards, including the Meritorious Service Medal, which he was awarded at his retirement ceremony in January 1987.
Horsley’s daughter, Kaori Gesinger, served as ship sponsor. Retired Master Chief Petty Officer John Pietri, who served with Horsley, presented a ceremonial long glass to the crew.
The FRC is designed to patrol the near-offshore environment conducting missions including law enforcement; search and rescue; ports, waterways and coastal security; and defense readiness. The cutters are replacing the 1980s-era 110-foot Island-class patrol boats and are 154 feet long, with a beam of 25 feet, endurance for five days and a top speed of more than 28 knots. They feature advanced command, control, communications, computers, intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance equipment; improved habitability and seakeeping; and the ability to launch and recover over-the-horizon cutter boats from astern or via side davits.
Thirty-eight of the 58 FRCs planned have been ordered. The next FRC will also be stationed in San Juan; delivery is planned for next month.
For more information: Fast Response Cutter program page
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