Bollinger Shipyards has delivered the USCGC Donald Horsley, the 17th Fast Response Cutter (FRC) to the United States Coast Guard (USCG).
The Coast Guard took delivery on March 5, 2016 in Key West, Fla., and is scheduled to commission the vessel in Puerto Rico during May, 2016.
The 154-foot patrol craft USCGC Donald Horsley is the 17th 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.
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 Donald Horsley. Master Chief Petty Officer Donald H. Horsley was the recipient of the Bronze Star with combat “V” device for his leadership of Division 13 of Coast Guard Squadron One during the Vietnam War.
Bollinger’s president and CEO, Ben Bordelon, said, “We are very pleased to announce the delivery of the latest FRC built by Bollinger Shipyards, the USCGC Donald Horsley, to the 7th Coast Guard District in Puerto Rico. We are looking forward to honoring and celebrating the heroic acts of Donald Horsley at the vessel’s commissioning.”