CG Takes Delivery of 3rd Fast Response Cutter; Home port to Be Cape May

LOCKPORT, LA. – Bollinger Shipyards has delivered the USCGC Angela McShan, the 35th Fast Response Cutter (FRC) to the U.S. Coast Guard.
According to a release, the Coast Guard took delivery Aug. 1 in Key West, Fla.
The cutter will be the third in its class to be homeported in Cape May.
Bollinger President and C.E.O. Ben Bordelon stated, “We are very pleased to announce the latest FRC delivery, the USCGC Angela McShan. Previous cutters have been stationed around the nation including Alaska and Hawaii.
The McShan will join the cutters Rollin Fritch and Lawrence Lawson at the Cape May center.
The vessel’s commissioning is scheduled for October 2019 in Cape May.
FRCs already in commission have protected the country by seizing multiple tons of narcotics, interdicted thousands of illegal aliens and saved hundreds of lives.
The FRC program is a model program for government acquisition and has surpassed all historical quality benchmarks for vessels of this type and complexity.  The results are the delivery of truly extraordinary Coast Guard cutters that will serve the nation for decades to come.
Bollinger stated it is “extremely proud that the delivery of the FRC-35 marks the 175th patrol boat built by Bollinger Shipyards. This includes the USCG Island Class, USCG Marine Protector Class, USN Cyclone Class and USCG Sentinel Class Fast Response Cutters.”
The 154-foot Sentinel-class Fast Response Cutter 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.
Recently, the Coast Guard deployed the FRC 1124, Oliver Berry from Hawaii across the Pacific to the Republic of the Marshall Islands. The 4,400 nautical mile trip marked the furthest deployment of an FRC to date. This trip showcases the hugely expanded operational reach and capability that the FRC provides.
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 Angela McShan.
MCPO McShan was a pioneer for women and African Americans. She was the first African American woman to be promoted to Master Chief Petty Officer.
She served over two decades with great devotion and is remembered as an exemplary leader and professional. She inspired the many she trained and has been described as a positive, kind and motivational person.
McShan was a stellar performer, mentor teacher, and inspirational leader. The Master Chief Angela M. McShan Inspirational Leadership Award was established in her memory.