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Acquisition Update: Coast Guard Commissions 15th Fast Response Cutter

Feb. 1, 2016

The crew of Coast Guard Cutter Joseph Napier salute during the commissioning ceremony at Coast Guard Sector San Juan, Puerto Rico, Jan. 29, 2016. The Joseph Napier is the 15th fast response cutter to be commissioned. U.S. Coast Guard photo by Petty Officer 2nd Class Mark Barney.

The Coast Guard commissioned its 15th fast response cutter, Coast Guard Cutter Joseph Napier, in San Juan, Puerto Rico, Jan. 29.

The ship is the third FRC stationed in San Juan. The other 12 ships in service are stationed in Florida – six in Miami and six in Key West.

The ship’s namesake, Joseph Napier, was the first keeper of the St. Joseph, Michigan, lifesaving station and led the rescue of six men from a stranded schooner in heavy storms Oct. 10, 1877, persevering even after sustaining a serious leg injury. Napier received the Gold Lifesaving Medal for the rescue and is credited with saving many more lives over the course of his career.

Jennifer Scalise, wife of Louisiana Congressman Steve Scalise, is the ship’s sponsor. Bob Leith, a Coast Guard veteran and civic leader in San Juan, also attended the ceremony to present a ceremonial long glass to the crew.

The Coast Guard is acquiring 58 FRCs to patrol coastal zones and conduct missions such as drug and migrant interdiction; ports, waterways and coastal security; fishery patrols; search and rescue; and national defense. The FRCs are 154 feet long, with a range of 2,950 nautical miles. They feature stern cutter boat launch; advanced command, control, communication, computers, intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance equipment; and improved seakeeping and habitability. They are replacing the service’s 110-foot patrol boats, which entered service in the 1980s.

The service has ordered 32 FRCs to date. The 16th FRC was delivered in December 2015 and is scheduled for commissioning in San Juan this March.

For more information: Fast Response Cutter program page

Last Modified 1/25/2017