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Acquisition Update: Coast Guard Transfers Former Cutter Boutwell To Philippines

July 22, 2016

Members of the Philippine navy
The new crew of the former Coast Guard Cutter Boutwell, now the Philippine navy vessel Andres Bonifacio, man the rail of the vessel following its official transfer to the Philippine navy July 21, 2016, during a ceremony held at Coast Guard Base Alameda, California. U.S. Coast Guard photo by Petty Officer 2nd Class Cory J. Mendenhall.

The Coast Guard transferred the former cutter Boutwell to the Philippine navy at a ceremony in Alameda, California, July 21, marking the seventh transfer of a Secretary-class 378-foot high endurance cutter through the Office of International Acquisition’s Excess Defense Articles program.

“As maritime nations, our two countries are united by common goals for peace, safety, security and maritime governance. The partnership between the U.S. Coast Guard, the U.S. Navy and the Philippine navy is emblematic of the strong bond between our two countries,” said Rear Adm. Joseph Vojvodich, Coast Guard assistant commandant for acquisition and chief acquisition officer, in his presiding remarks.

Boutwell is the third high endurance cutter transferred to the Philippine navy. “It is heartening to know that Boutwell will continue to serve alongside sister ships ex-Hamilton, now Gregorio del Pilar, and ex-Dallas, now Ramon Alcaraz, in the very capable hands of professional sailors in the Philippine navy,” Vojvodich said. “For over five years, the Philippine navy has successfully employed these vessels in a wide range of maritime security, safety and national defense missions.”

The Office of International Acquisition will support the vessel, now the BRP Andres Bonifacio, during a maintenance, upgrade and training period in Alameda before the ship departs for Manila this fall. The Coast Guard will provide $15.9 million worth of transfer support, including equipment procurement and installation, paid for by the Philippines.

In addition to helping build and sustain global maritime partnerships in support of the Coast Guard’s national maritime strategy, each high endurance cutter transfer also helps the service avoid approximately $12 million in disposal costs.

Boutwell entered service in June 1968 and was decommissioned in March 2016. In addition to the three high endurance cutters transferred to the Philippines, two each have been transferred to Bangladesh and Nigeria. Five high endurance cutters remain in service in the Pacific.

The 378-foot high endurance cutters are being replaced by the 418-foot national security cutters, five of which are already in service. The sixth NSC is scheduled to enter service next year.

For more information: Excess Defense Articles program page

Last Modified 1/25/2017