Polar Security Cutter program: Difference between revisions

Revision as of 19:25, 28 July 2023

Revision as of 19:33, 28 July 2023

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On 30 December 2021, the USCG exercised the $552.6 million option for the construction of the second PSC.<ref name="st_second" /><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.maritime-executive.com/article/vt-halter-wins-contract-for-second-uscg-polar-security-cutter|title= VT Halter Wins Contract for Second USCG Polar Security Cutter|publisher=The Maritime Executive|date=30 December 2021|accessdate=2 January 2022}}</ref>

Initially, [[Halter Marine]] anticipated that the lead ship would be delivered in summer 2024, with the second PSC in 2025, and the third vessel in late 2027. However, {{asof|2023|7|lc=y}} the lead ship has been delayed and the delivery may not occur until 2028.<ref name="RL34391_jul2023">{{citation|url=https://crsreports.congress.gov/product/pdf/RL/RL34391|title=Coast Guard Polar Security Cutter (Polar Icebreaker) Program: Background and Issues for Congress|publisher=Congressional Research Service|date=10 July 2023 |accessdate=13 July 2023}}</ref> In July 2023, theThe [[Government Accountability Office]] has identified four primary factors contributing to delay in PSC design maturity: general lack of experience for designing and building icebreakers in the United States, the complexity of the PSC's design, significant changes from the original design, and impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic.<ref name="gaojuly2023">{{cite web|url=https://www.gao.gov/products/gao-23-105949|title=Coast Guard Acquisitions: Polar Security Cutter Needs to Stabilize Design Before Starting Construction and Improve Schedule Oversight|publisher=United States Government Accountability Office|date=27 July 2023|accessdate=28 July 2023}}</ref>

In November 2022, [[Bollinger Shipyards]] announced that it would buy VT Halter Marine and oversee the construction of the Polar Security Cutters.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://news.usni.org/2022/11/06/bollinger-to-buy-halter-marine-shipyard-oversee-coast-guard-polar-security-cutter-program|title=UPDATED: Bollinger to Buy Halter Marine Shipyard, Oversee Coast Guard Polar Security Cutter Program|publisher=USNI News|date=6 November 2022|accessdate=6 November 2022}}</ref> On November 22, 2022, [[Bollinger Shipyards]] announced it had completed the acquisition of VT Halter Marine and ST Engineer Halter Marine Offshore. Construction of the Polar Security Cutters will still be completed in Pascagoula, MS at what will be called Bollinger Mississippi Shipbuilding.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.bollingershipyards.com/news/bollinger-shipyards-completes-acquisition-of-vt-halter-marine-and-st-engineering-halter-marine-offshore/|title=BOLLINGER SHIPYARDS COMPLETES ACQUISITION OF VT HALTER MARINE AND ST ENGINEERING HALTER MARINE OFFSHORE|publisher=Bollinger Shipyards|date=22 November 2022|accessdate=14 March 2023}}</ref>