The U.S. Coast Guard’s 154 foot Sentinel Class patrol craft (154WPC), also known as the Fast Response Cutter (FRC), replaces the well known and respected 110 foot Island Class patrol boat (110WPB). Increases in mission and operational capabilities, 110WPB to 154WPC, are discussed and presented showing how increases in length, beam and displacement have had a large impact on seakeeping, habitability, crew fatigue, and operational capability in higher sea states for the 154WPC. Additionally mission capabilities for the 154WPC have been improved via the C4ISR suite and the deployable over-the-horizon cutter boat. The outcome of these capability increases for the 154WPC Sentinel Class is an extended operational duration and coverage of a larger area of responsibility than the 110WPB Island Class that it replaces.

Keywords:
us government, contingency planning, cutter boat, displacement, criterion, sea state, crew member, knot, capability increase, engagement
Subjects:
HSSE & Social Responsibility Management, Safety, Information Management and Systems, Contingency planning and emergency response
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2013. The Society of Naval Architects and Marine Engineers
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