Bollinger delivers FRC Winslow Griesser

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The following is the text of a news release from Bollinger Shipyards:

(LOCKPORT, La.) — Bollinger Shipyards has delivered Winslow Griesser, the 16th fast response cutter (FRC), to the United States Coast Guard.

The announcement was made by Bollinger President and CEO Ben Bordelon. "We are very pleased to announce the delivery of the latest FRC built by Bollinger Shipyards, Winslow Griesser, to the 7th Coast Guard District in Puerto Rico," he said. "We are looking forward to honoring and celebrating the heroic acts of Winslow Griesser at the vessel’s commissioning.”

The 154-foot patrol craft is the 16th vessel in the Coast Guard's Sentinel-class FRC program. To build the FRC, Bollinger used a proven, in-service parent craft design based on the Damen Stan Patrol Boat 4708. It has a flank speed of 28 knots, state-of-the-art 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.

The Coast Guard took delivery on Dec. 23, in Key West, Fla., and is scheduled to commission the vessel in Puerto Rico in March.

Each FRC is named for an enlisted Coast Guard hero who distinguished himself or herself in the line of duty. This vessel is named after Coast Guard hero Winslow Griesser. Griesser, keeper of the Buffalo Life-Saving Station in New York, was awarded the Gold Lifesaving Medal on Feb. 23, 1901 for his heroic actions during a dramatic rescue on Nov. 21, 1900.

By Professional Mariner Staff