The following is text of a news release from Bollinger Shipyards:
(LOCKPORT, La.) — Bollinger Shipyards has delivered Edgar Culbertson, the 37th fast response cutter (FRC) to the U.S. Coast Guard. The Coast Guard took delivery on Feb. 6 in Key West, Fla.
Each FRC is named for an enlisted Coast Guard hero who distinguished him or herself in the line of duty. This vessel is named after Coast Guard hero Edgar Culbertson, who was a boatswain’s mate first class petty officer and perished in the line of duty while trying to rescue three teenage brothers during a fierce storm in Duluth, Minn., in April 1967. He was awarded the United States Coast Guard Medal for his bravery and heroism.
“USCGC Edgar Culbertson is the second of three fast response cutters to be home-ported in Galveston, Texas," said Bollinger President and CEO Ben Bordelon. "The industrial base of over 600 local men and women at Bollinger constructing these high-quality vessels have consistently delivered over half of the program of record to date, with the highest quality, on schedule and within budget. We are extremely proud that Bollinger has built more than 175 patrol boats, which includes the USCG Island class, USCG Marine Protector class, USN Cyclone class and USCG Sentinel class fast response cutters.”
The 154-foot Sentinel-class FRC has a flank speed of 28 knots, the latest command, control, communications and computer technology, and a stern launch system for the vessel’s 26-foot cutter boat. The FRC has been described as an operational “game changer” by senior Coast Guard officials and have been deployed as far 4,400 nautical miles from homeport, highlighting FRC’s hugely expanded operational reach and capability.
