Coast Guard Announces Homeporting of Fast Response Cutters (FRC) and Patrol Boats in Alaska
WASHINGTON, DC – U.S. Senator Dan Sullivan (R-AK), Chairman of the Senate Commerce Subcommittee on Oceans, Atmosphere, Fisheries, and Coast Guard, today welcomed the U.S. Coast Guard’s announcement on the homeporting of six Fast Response Cutters (FRC) slated for Alaska and two additional patrol boats for Petersburg and Juneau. The new FRCs will be homeported in Kodiak (2), Seward (1), Sitka (1), and two previously commissioned FRCs – the USCGC John McMormick and USCGC Baily Barco – will remain stationed in Ketchikan. The decision comes following consistent pressure by the Alaska Congressional delegation to ensure new Alaska Coast Guard assets be “homeported where they can be most responsive to the needs of Alaskans and the nation.” According to the U.S. Coast Guard, recapitalizing will begin in 2023 and no assets will be decommissioned prior to the arrival of new assets.
“The Coast Guard is undergoing a major recapitalization of its fleet and I’ve consistently worked to ensure this means more Coast Guard ships, aircraft, and personnel for communities across our state. As the Coast Guard Subcommittee Chairman, I continue to work to ensure we have the broadest possible search and rescue coverage, response capability, and maritime domain awareness throughout Alaskan waters,” said Senator Sullivan. “The effort to stop a potential drawdown of Alaska-based Coast Guard assets led to numerous and sometimes tense discussions. In the end, persistence and tireless advocacy – tied to a well-timed confirmation hearing of the next U.S. Coast Guard Commandant – led to this announcement. I’m pleased to see the Coast Guard has heard our message loud and clear and followed a 2-1-1-2 homeporting model for the FRCs and will deploy two additional Patrol Boats into Alaska, a decision which ensures larger mission area coverage. I’m proud to have worked with many mayors in coastal communities to ensure the Coast Guard made the appropriate investments to increase geographic coverage and ensure we can more effectively monitor our waterways and coastlines. This announcement gives many of our Southeast communities the long-term certainty they’ve been asking for and brings significant investments – in infrastructure and local housing – to our coastal communities. And frankly, we’re not done pushing the Coast Guard during their recapitalization process. In fact, we’re just beginning.”
In response to a November 17, 2017 letter and relentless pressure by Senator Sullivan ahead of today’s Senate Commerce Committee vote on the next Commandant of the U.S. Coast Guard, the U.S. Coast Guard announced its homeporting decision in a letter this morning.
“The Coast Guard has completed an exhaustive feasibility study regarding the Alaskan patrol boat force laydown that included outreach to communities throughout coastal Alaska. Based on our study, the Coast Guard will homeport two FRCs in Kodiak, one FRC in Seward, and one FRC in Sitka in addition to the two FRCs currently homeported in Ketchikan,” wrote Coast Guard Commandant Admiral Paul F. Zukunft. “Additionally, our analysis indicated that the people of Southeast Alaska would best be served by two additional patrol boats. The Coast Guard will homeport a Coastal Patrol Boat in Petersburg and one in Juneau. This force laydown equates to 150% of the capacity provided by the Island Class patrol boats.”
Last week, in a Senate Commerce Committee Hearing on the nomination of Vice Admiral Karl Schultz to be the next Commandant of the U.S. Coast Guard, Senator Sullivan asked for and secured certain verbal commitments, including the 2-1-1-2 homeporting model of Alaska’s FRCs and a replacement vessel for Petersburg’s decommissioning 110 foot Island Class Patrol boat.
Senator Sullivan questioning nominee to serve as the next Commandant of the U.S. Coast Guard (click image or here to watch)
SULLIVAN: So you had expressed -- when you and I met earlier, you expressed the importance of a maximum patrol boat coverage for Alaska. Can you commit, to me, to the 2-1-1-2 home-porting model for the Fast Response Cutters?
SCHULTZ: Senator, yes I can.
SULLIVAN: And, I think, you and I have also talked about the community in Petersburg, Alaska and it's losing a 110 foot Island Class patrol boat. I'm concerned about the Coast Guard's ability to meet the needs of southeast Alaskans, especially in the near shore and inside passage areas where, you know, there's an enormous amount of cruise ship traffic. Do you have -- can I get your commitment to work with me and my team on my concerns that I've raised with you, with regard, to what's going on in Petersburg, Alaska, as well?
SCHULTZ: Senator, you have my commitment. We talked, potentially, about some 87 foot coastal patrol boats to possibly fill some of those -- those localities that you're keenly, and others members of the Alaska delegation are interested in.
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