In a significant milestone for maritime security, Bollinger Shipyards LLC has successfully delivered the USCGC Melvin Bell, marking the 181st vessel delivered to the U.S. Coast Guard in a remarkable 35-year history. This vessel, the 55th Fast Response Cutter (FRC) delivered under the current program, is the sixth of six FRCs designated to be homeported in Sector Boston, renowned as "The Birthplace of the Coast Guard."
Bollinger's President & C.E.O., Ben Bordelon, expressed pride in delivering the USCGC Melvin Bell, highlighting the vessel's unparalleled quality and capabilities. As the Coast Guard's long-standing partner, Bollinger remains confident that this FRC will exceed mission requirements and expectations, particularly in the challenging conditions of the North Atlantic.
Sector Boston, responsible for coastal safety, security, and environmental protection in its jurisdiction from the New Hampshire-Massachusetts border to Plymouth, Massachusetts and 200nm offshore, will benefit from the addition of the USCGC Melvin Bell to its fleet. With over 1,500 dedicated members, the sector's mission includes protecting vital infrastructure, rescuing mariners in peril, enforcing federal law, maintaining navigable waterways, and responding to hazards impacting the maritime transportation system and coastal region.
The Coast Guard's FY2024 Unfunded Priorities List reflects the importance of FRCs, with plans to procure four more vessels (66th through 69th in the program). This strategic move aims to enhance Coast Guard presence and engagement with allied and partner countries in the Indo-Pacific region. Adm. Linda Fagan, the commandant of the U.S. Coast Guard, emphasized the Indo-Pacific's significance for America's future and the expanded role of the U.S. Coast Guard in the region.
Each Fast Response Cutter is named after an enlisted Coast Guard hero who demonstrated exceptional service. The USCGC Melvin Bell, named after Bell, a minority pioneer and Pacific war hero, symbolizes a distinguished career spanning 65 years in military and civil service. Bell's numerous distinctions include being the first Pacific Islander advanced to chief petty officer in 1943 and the first minority Master Chief in the history of the Coast Guard in 1958.
Described as an operational "game changer" by senior Coast Guard officials, Fast Response Cutters consistently prove their exceptional performance, operational reach, and adaptability. The USCGC Melvin Bell, measuring 154 feet with a flank speed of 28 knots, features a state-of-the-art C4ISR suite and a stern launch and recovery ramp for a 26-foot, over-the-horizon interceptor cutter boat. FRCs have been deployed as far as the Marshall Islands, showcasing their capability to undertake missions across vast distances.
The delivery of the USCGC Melvin Bell underscores Bollinger's commitment to excellence and the Coast Guard's ongoing efforts to bolster its fleet. As a key player in maritime security, the Fast Response Cutter continues to play a pivotal role in safeguarding the nation's waters and upholding the Coast Guard's mission.
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Naval Force