Island-class patrol boat explained

The Island-class patrol boat is a class of cutters of the United States Coast Guard. 49 cutters of the class were built, of which 3 remain in commission. Their hull numbers are WPB-1301 through WPB-1349.[1]

Overview

The 110feet Island-class patrol boats are a U.S. Coast Guard modification of a highly successful British-designed Vosper Thornycroft patrol boat built for Qatar, Abu Dhabi, and Singapore.[2] With excellent range and seakeeping capabilities, the Island class, all named after U.S. islands, replaced the older 95feet s. These cutters are equipped with advanced electronics and navigation equipment, and are used in support of the Coast Guard's maritime homeland security, migrant interdiction, drug interdiction, defense operations, fisheries enforcement, and search and rescue missions.[3] The cutters have 10 tons worth of space and weight reservations for additional weapons.[4]

The s, selected under the Fast Response Cutter (FRC) program, are slated to replace the Island class. Six Island class cutters (USCGC Adak, Aquidneck, Baranof, Maui, Monomoy, and Wrangell) were stationed in Manama, Bahrain, as a part of Patrol Forces Southwest Asia to provide the Navy's Fifth Fleet with combat ready assets[5] but all have been replaced by Fast Response Cutters.[6]

Conversion problems

As built, these vessels were all 110feet in length. In 2002 as part of the Integrated Deepwater System Program, the Coast Guard began refitting some of these vessels, adding 13feet to the stern to make room for a high-speed stern launching ramp, and replacing the superstructure so that these vessels had enough room to accommodate mixed-gender crews. The refit added about 15 tons to the vessel's displacement, and reduced its maximum speed by approximately one knot. The eight cutters[7] modified were;

In 2005, then-Coast Guard Commandant Admiral Thomas H. Collins made the decision to stop the contractor's conversion at eight hulls when sea trials revealed intractable structural flaws.[8] [9]

In August 2006, a Lockheed Martin engineer went public with allegations that the company and the Coast Guard were ignoring serious security flaws in the refitting project, and that they were likely to repeat the same mistakes on similar projects. The flaws included blind spots in watch cameras, FLIR equipment not suitable for operating under extreme temperatures, and the use of non-shielded cables in secure communications systems, a violation of TEMPEST standards.[10]

In late November 2006 all eight of the 123feet WPBs were taken out of service due to debilitating problems with their lengthened hulls – all eight hulls were cracking when driven at high speed in heavy seas. These as well as other issues – such as C4ISR problems – drove the program $60 million over budget, triple the original bid for the eight boats converted. The 41 unmodified 110s are now being pressed harder to take up the slack.[11] The eight modified were moved to the United States Coast Guard Yard and moored in Arundel Cove.[12]

Transfers to foreign operators

The U.S. Coast Guard has transferred several ships to foreign navies and coast guards via the Defense Security Cooperation Agency's Office of International Acquisition's Excess Defense Articles Program (EDA).[13]

In May 2023, the United States government pledged to provide the Philippines at least two Island-class patrol vessels which was agreed by both sides, as it was offered alongside two Marine Protector-class patrol boats and three Lockheed C-130H Hercules aircraft during President Bongbong Marcos' visit to Washington D.C.[14] [15] The recipient of the transferred vessels will be the Philippine Navy. [16] [17]

Operators

Dispositions

Disposition of Island class Cutters
image name commissioned decommissioned notes
Farallon (WPB-1301)21 February 1986[25]
Manitou (WPB-1302)24 January 1986[26] Directed to be removed from operational service November 2006
24 April 1986 Directed to be removed from operational service November 2006
9 May 1986 22 March 2022 in Manama, Bahrain[27]
Monhegan (WPB-1305)16 June 1986 Directed to be removed from operational service November 2006
Nunivak (WPB-1306)2 May 1986 Directed to be removed from operational service November 2006
4 August 1986 transferred to Ukraine, renamed P192 Sumy
Vashon (WPB-1308)15 August 1986 Directed to be removed from operational service November 2006
Aquidneck (WPB-1309)26 September 1986 15 June 2021 in Manama, Bahrain[28] Transferred to Greece
29 August 1986
Naushon (WPB-1311)3 October 1986 Homeport - Homer, Alaska
Sanibel (WPB-1312)14 November 1986
Edisto (WPB-1313)7 January 1987
24 February 1987
Mantinicus (WPB-1315)16 April 1987
Nantucket (WPB-1316)4 June 1987 8 Mar 2017[29]
Attu (WPB-1317)9 May 1988 Directed to be removed from operational service November 2006
Baranof (WPB-1318)20 May 1988
8 June 1988
8 August 1988
8 August 1988 8 Mar 2017 transferred to Ukraine, renamed P190 Sloviansk, sunk due to Russian action 3 March 2022
Cuttyhunk (WPB-1322)15 October 1988 5 May 2022 in Port Angeles, Washington.[30]
19 October 1988 transferred to Ukraine, renamed P191 Starobilsk
Key Largo (WPB-1324)24 December 1988 27 February 2023
Metompkin (WPB-1325)12 January 1989 Directed to be removed from operational service November 2006
16 December 1988 22 March 2022 in Manama, Bahrain. Transferred to Greece
Orcas (WPB-1327)14 April 1989 23 April 2024 in Coos Bay, Oregon.[31]
Padre (WPB-1328)24 February 1989 Directed to be removed from operational service November 2006
Sitkanak (WPB-1329)31 March 1989
Tybee (WPB-1330)9 May 1989
9 June 1989 transferred to Ukraine, renamed P193 Fastiv
Wrangell (WPB-1332)24 June 1989 22 March 2022 in Manama, Bahrain Transferred to Greece
17 November 1989 15 June 2021 in Manama, Bahrain Transferred to Greece
4 August 1989
13 January 1990 26 April 2024 in Port Angeles, Washington[32]
ca. 1 December 1989 (delivery date) transferred to Ukraine, renamed P194 Vyacheslav Kubrak
ca. 1 January 1990 (delivery date)
ca. 14 December 1990 (delivery date) transferred to Pakistan
Key Biscayne (WPB-1339)27 April 1991 transferred to Pakistan
Jefferson Island (WPB-1340)16 August 1991 19 September 2014 in Portland, Maine. transferred to Georgia (country)
Kodiak Island (WPB-1341)21 June 1991
Long Island (WPB-1342)27 August 1991 transferred to Costa Rica, renamed Juan Rafael Mora Porras
ca. 14 June 1991 (delivery date) purchased by Sea Shepherd, renamed MV Sharpie
ca. 19 July 1991 (delivery date) purchased by Sea Shepherd, renamed MY Jules Verne and later MV John Paul DeJoria
Staten Island (WPB-1345)ca. 23 August 1991 (delivery date) transferred to Georgia
ca. 27 September 1991 (delivery date) transferred to Costa Rica, renamed Gen. Jose M. Canas Escamilla
ca. 1 November 1992 (delivery date) purchased by Sea Shepherd, renamed MY Farley Mowat
ca. 6 December 1991 (delivery date)
ca. 17 January 1992 (delivery date)

See also

External links

Notes and References

  1. Web site: USCG: 110 ft Patrol Boat. USCG.mil. https://archive.today/20121212014443/http://uscg.mil/datasheet/110wpb.asp. dead. 12 December 2012. 1 March 2011.
  2. McCarthy. Frank N.. 1986. The Coast Guard's New Island in the Drug War. Proceedings. 112. 2. 109&110. United States Naval Institute.
  3. Web site: Patrol Forces Southwest Asia. USCG.mil. US Coast Guard. 20 March 2017. https://web.archive.org/web/20170321083135/https://www.uscg.mil/lantarea/PATFORSWA/. 21 March 2017. live.
  4. Web site: United States Coast Guard AntiSubmarine Warfare (ASW) in the Maritime Defense Zone (MDZ). 3 May 2018. The new Island Class of 110-foot Patrol Boat (WPB) was designed with "a ten-ton space and weight reservation for additional weapon systems.". live. 2017-04-28. https://web.archive.org/web/20170428055154/http://www.dtic.mil/dtic/tr/fulltext/u2/a217340.pdf.
  5. Web site: Patrol Forces Southwest Asia. USCG.mil. US Coast Guard. 21 December 2016 . 20 March 2017. https://web.archive.org/web/20170321083135/https://www.uscg.mil/lantarea/PATFORSWA/. 21 March 2017. live . P4_ORG_CHART_JAN16.ppt.
  6. Web site: Patrol Forces Southwest Asia (PATFORSWA) . . United States Coast Guard Atlantic Area, U.S. Department of Homeland Security . Defense Media Activity . 31 May 2024 . In the midst of a fleet transition from WPBs to WPCs, the PATFORSWA squadron currently consists of six 154’ Sentinel Class Fast Response Cutters, a cutter relief crew, and a 150-member mission support detachment in Bahrain..
  7. News: Feds Sue Bollinger Shipyards Over 'Unseaworthy' Coast Guard Ships. New Orleans Business News. Bruce Alpert. August 18, 2011. https://web.archive.org/web/20180609193942/https://www.nola.com/business/index.ssf/2011/08/feds_sue_bollinger_shipyards_o.html. 2018-06-09. March 28, 2012. live . The suit contends that Lockport-based Bollinger exaggerated the structural hull strength of the eight boats it had contracted to lengthen from 110 feet to 123 feet..
  8. News: Coast Guard Scramble Over Deepwater Snag. Military.com. 2005-06-23. Nathaniel R. Helms. 2009-10-08. https://web.archive.org/web/20160303202537/http://www.military.com/NewContent/0,13190,Defensewatch_062305_Helms,00.html. 2016-03-03. live .
  9. Coast Guard ends cutter conversion program. MarineLog. 2005-07-18. 2009-10-08. https://web.archive.org/web/20160303171728/http://www.marinelog.com/DOCS/NEWSMMV/2005jul0181.html. 2016-03-03. dead.
  10. News: On YouTube, Charges of Security Flaws. Washington Post. 2006-08-29. Griff Witte. 2009-10-08. https://web.archive.org/web/20180518130331/http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2006/08/28/AR2006082801293.html. 2018-05-18. bot: unknown.
  11. News: Coast Guard to Idle 8 Cutters After $100 Million Renovation. The New York Times. 2006-11-30. Eric Lipton. 2009-10-08. https://web.archive.org/web/20120515144740/http://www.nytimes.com/2006/11/30/washington/30ship.html. 2012-05-15. live.
  12. http://www.uscg.mil/history/cutters/docs/FlynnPatrolCraft2012.pdf U. S. Coast Guard Patrol Craft
  13. Web site: EDA. dsca.mil. December 12, 2017. https://web.archive.org/web/20170907024912/http://dsca.mil/programs/excess-defense-articles-eda. September 7, 2017. live.
  14. Web site: Valmonte . Kaycee . 2 May 2023 . US to transfer patrol boats, airplanes to Philippine military . live . https://archive.today/20230503015323/https://www.philstar.com/headlines/2023/05/02/2263176/us-transfer-patrol-boats-airplanes-philippine-military . 3 May 2023 . 3 May 2023 . Philstar Global.
  15. Web site: 3 May 2023 . Philippines To Receive Four Ex-US Coast Guard Patrol Boats . live . https://archive.today/20230503015514/https://www.bairdmaritime.com/work-boat-world/maritime-security-world/naval/ships-naval/philippines-to-receive-four-ex-us-coast-guard-patrol-boats/ . 3 May 2023 . 3 May 2023 . Baird Maritime.
  16. Web site: Nepomuceno . Priam . 3 May 2023 . 4 US patrol boats to beef up PH Navy's defense capabilities . live . https://archive.today/20230508070204/https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1200609 . 8 May 2023 . 8 May 2023 . Philippine News Agency.
  17. Web site: 5 June 2023 . Understanding the United States' Patrol Boat Pledges to the Philippine Navy . 5 June 2023 . Pitz Defense Analysis.
  18. News: U.S. Donates Two Patrol Boats to Georgian Coast Guard. 1 October 2016. Civil Georgia. 1 October 2016 . live . 2017-12-12 . https://web.archive.org/web/20171212193627/http://www.civil.ge/eng/article.php?id=29475 . .
  19. Web site: USCG Transfers Cutters. dcms.uscg.mil. December 12, 2017. https://web.archive.org/web/20180228095330/http://www.dcms.uscg.mil/Our-Organization/Assistant-Commandant-for-Acquisitions-CG-9/Newsroom/EDA_101617/. February 28, 2018. live.
  20. News: Costa Rica to commission former US Coast Guard cutters in April. Naval Today. 2018-03-07. 2018-06-08. The Coast Guard formally transferred the two patrol boats – the former cutters Long Island and Roanoke Island – to Costa Rica through the Excess Defense Articles (EDA) Program in October 2017..
  21. Web site: Sea Shepherd Welcomes the Farley Mowat and the Jules Verne to its Fleet - Sea Shepherd Conservation Society . 2015-06-01 . https://web.archive.org/web/20150603195305/http://www.seashepherd.org/news-and-media/2015/06/01/sea-shepherd-welcomes-the-farley-mowat-and-the-jules-verne-to-its-fleet-1697 . 2015-06-03 . live .
  22. News: Sea Shepherd Launches New Anti-poaching Vessel M/V Sharpie. Sea Shepherd Conservation Society. 2017-12-09. en-GB. https://web.archive.org/web/20171208174807/http://www.seashepherd.org/news-and-commentary/news/sea-shepherd-launches-new-anti-poaching-vessel-mv-sharpie.html. 2017-12-08. dead.
  23. Web site: Ukraine to receive two former U.S. Coast Guard Island-class cutters . navaltoday.com . 3 April 2018 . navaltoday.com . 12 July 2018 . https://web.archive.org/web/20180614045641/https://navaltoday.com/2018/04/03/ukraine-to-receive-two-former-us-coast-guard-island-class-cutters/ . 14 June 2018 . live .
  24. Web site: 2022-01-20 . ΑΠΟΚΛΕΙΣΤΙΚΟ: Οι ΗΠΑ παραχωρούν 3 περιπολικά κλάσης Island στο Πολεμικό μας Ναυτικό, άλλα 5 προς διάθεση στο άμεσο μέλλον - Πτήση . 2023-07-08 . el.
  25. Book: Polmar , Norman . Norman Polmar. 2013. The Naval Institute Guide to the Ships and Aircraft of the U.S. Fleet. 19th. Annapolis, Maryland. Naval Institute Press. 595-596. 978-1-59114-687-2.
  26. Book: Scheina , Robert L. . 1990. U.S. Coast Guard Cutters and Craft 1946-1990. Annapolis, Maryland. Naval Institute Press. 62-63. 0-87021-719-4.
  27. News: U.S. Coast Guard Decommissions 3 Cutters in Bahrain. U.S. Naval Forces Central Command / U.S. 5th Fleet. 22 March 2022. 25 April 2024.
  28. News: U.S. Coast Guard Decommissions Bahrain-Based Cutters USCGC Aquidneck, USCGC Adak. U.S. Naval Forces Central Command / U.S. 5th Fleet. 16 June 2021. 25 April 2024.
  29. News: U.S. Coast Guard cutters Cushing and Nantucket decommissioned. Navy Times. Arlington, Virginia. 10 March 2017. 1 June 2024.
  30. . Coast Guard Cutter Cuttyhunk decommissioned after 34 years of service . Seattle, Washington, United States . . 2022-05-05 . 2024-05-23.
  31. . Coast Guard Cutter Orcas decommissioned after 35 years of service in Coos Bay, Oregon . Coos Bay, Oregon . United States Coast Guard, Department of Homeland Security . 23 April 2024 . 31 May 2024.
  32. . U.S. Coast Guard Cutter Anacapa decommissioned after 34 years of service . Port Angeles, Washington . United States Coast Guard, Department of Homeland Security . Defense Media Activity . 2024-04-29 . 2024-05-23.

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