Panama City, FL, Eastern Shipbuilding announced on April 6, 2020 that the U.S. Coast Guard executed a modification to the contract to build the second Offshore Patrol Cutter (OPC) and Long Lead Time Materials for the third OPC. These accomplishments result from successful completion of a Production Readiness Review (PRR) in February, 2020.
Eastern’s President Mr. Joey D’Isernia noted the following: “Today represents not only the continuation of production for the USCG’s future replacement of their 210-ft and 270-ft class Medium Endurance Cutters, but also an important step in the continuing recovery of Northwest Florida and ESG post Hurricane Michael. Looking back on the condition of our shipyard and our community immediately post Hurricane Michael in comparison to how far we have come, I could not be more proud of our team for what we have accomplished to date. We are excited about the future of this program and will continue to work diligently with our vendor network from 29 other states to produce high quality, highly capable vessels for the men and women of the USCG.”
The OPC is designed to conduct multiple missions in support of the nation’s maritime security and border protection. The OPC will provide a capability bridge between the national security cutter, which patrols the open ocean in the most demanding maritime environments, and the fast response cutter, which serves closer to shore. The OPC design includes the capability of carrying an MH-60R or MH-65 Helicopter and three operational Over-The-Horizon (OTH) small boats. The vessel is also equipped with a highly sophisticated combat system and C4ISR suite that will enhance capabilities to execute the service’s missions.
On September 15, 2016, the U.S. Coast Guard exercised the option for Detail Design on Eastern Shipbuilding Group’s OPC contract. Eastern Shipbuilding Group will construct the Offshore Patrol
Cutters to replace the Medium Endurance Cutters currently in service. The contract includes the production of up to four vessels.
About Eastern Shipbuilding:
Eastern’s original shipyard was established in 1976 for the purpose of constructing commercial fishing vessels for the company’s founder and CEO, Brian R. D’Isernia. As the owner of a fleet of commercial fishing vessels, Mr. D’Isernia ventured into the world of shipbuilding after learning first hand that the only way to get the type of vessels he wanted was to design the vessels, write the specifications, and build them himself. As he built and developed his own fleet of vessels, other professionals in the industry took notice and also began requesting their own custom-built vessels. Soon customers in areas including New England, the Pacific Northwest and Alaska were contacting Eastern with requests for customized fishing vessels. By 1980, 26 commercial fishing vessels had been constructed and delivered.
Building on his passion for boats and the sea, Mr. D’Isernia decided to diversify Eastern’s reputation from a ‘Fishing Vessel’ shipyard into a shipyard that could fulfill any type of custom vessel request, large or small. In 1981, Eastern’s diversification began with the delivery of its first Offshore Supply Vessel. Today, Eastern’s portfolio includes over 350 vessels and has become one of the most diversified vessel construction companies as a result of its state of the art production line and fabrication process. Eastern has built everything from Offshore Supply Vessels to Tugs, Articulated Tugs/Barges, Inland Towboats, a SWATH Vessel, Passenger Vessels, Ro-Ro/Passenger Ferries, Inland Transport Vessels, Barges, Fireboats, Research Vessels, SUBSEA Construction Vessels, Dredges, High Speed Passenger Vessels, Fishing Vessels, and more. Eastern currently operates two shipyards in Bay County and one shipyard in Gulf County, FL.
In support of OPC construction, ESG has made improvements to the Nelson facility. In conjunction with the state of Florida and Triumph Gulf Coast, Inc., ESG has commenced construction on additional warehousing, a state-of-the-art C4ISR Production Facility, improved building and launch ways, among numerous other improvements. This wave of facility improvements positions ESG to continue OPC production as efficiently as possible. ESG’s investments have grown Panama City’s public shipbuilding infrastructure for the purpose of helping establish within the City, a shipyard that helps meet the nation’s needs for ships that support national defense, border security and other public purposes, today and into the future.
For More Information Please Go To:
www.easternshipbuilding.com
OPC Characteristics:
•Length: 360 feet
•Beam: 54 feet
•Draft: 17 feet
•Sustained Speed: 22 Plus knots
•Range: 8500 Plus nautical miles
•Endurance: 60 Days
