Marine Protector-class patrol boat

For other uses, see Protector class.

The Marine Protector-class patrol boat is a type of coastal patrol boat of the United States Coast Guard. The 87-foot-long (27 m) vessels are based on the Stan 2600 design by Damen Group and were built by Bollinger Shipyards of Lockport, Louisiana. Almost all of these boats have been delivered to the U.S. Coast Guard, which has named them after sea creatures that fly or swim. Four have been delivered to Malta and Yemen.^[3]

The class leader USCGC Barracuda underway. Note the boat launching ramp at the stern. The fifty caliber machine guns mount on pintles, port and starboard, just forward of the red stripe. The black smudge in the hull abaft the superstructure is the exhaust of the port engine.
Class overview
Name	Marine Protector-class
Builders	Bollinger Shipyards, Lockport, Louisiana
Operators	United States Coast Guard  Ghana Navy  National Navy of Uruguay  Lebanese Navy
Preceded by	Point-class
In commission	1998–present[1]
Completed	77
Cancelled	0
Active	72
Retired	6
General characteristics
Displacement	91 long tons (204,000 lb; 92,000 kg)
Length	87 ft (27 m)
Beam	19 ft 5 in (5.92 m)
Draft	5 ft 7 in (1.70 m)
Propulsion	2 x MTU diesel engines
Speed	Over 25 knots (46 km/h; 29 mph)
Range	900 nmi (1,000 mi; 1,700 km)
Endurance	3 days
Complement	10
Sensors and processing systems	1 x AN/SPS-73 surface search radar
Armament	2 × .50 caliber M2 Browning machine guns
Notes	[2]

History

USCGC Sailfish in New York City

Tour of USCGC Haddock, c. 2020

The Coast Guard placed its original order in 1999 for 50 boats, which were delivered by mid-2002.^[4] Several additional orders brought the class to a total of 77 ships. Seventy-five were delivered under the original Coast Guard contract with Bollinger, with the last, USCGC Sea Fox, being completed in October 2009.^[5][6] Two of these were delivered to the Maritime Squadron of Malta.^[3] A separate Coast Guard contract built two additional patrol boats for the Yemen Coast Guard.^[7]

The Marine Protector class replaced the 82-foot Point class, which had smaller accommodations and had to stop to deploy its pursuit inflatable boat via crane. The last Point-class cutter was decommissioned in 2003.^[8][9]

In 2020, the Department of Homeland Security began to decommission the fleet, with eight Marine Protector cutters replaced by newer Sentinel class cutters.^[10]

In May 2021, the United States announced that it would send three decommissioned ships to the Lebanese Navy^[11]

In 2022, three decommissioned ships, Albacore, Cochito, and Gannet were donated to the Uruguayan Navy under the Excess Defense Articles program. As part of the transfer deal, Uruguay spent $4.99 million to refurbish the ships, on spare parts, and to train their crews. They were renamed Rio Arapey, Rio De La Plata, and Rio Yaguaron.^[12][13]

In 2023, the United States delivered two former Coast Guard Marine Protector-class ships to the Ghanaian Navy. They were commissioned as GNS Aflao and GNS Half Assini.^[14]

In May 2023, the United States government pledged to provide the Philippines at least two Marine Protector vessels, as well as two Island-class patrol boat and three Lockheed C-130H Hercules during President Bongbong Marcos' visit to Washington, D.C.^[15][16] The transferred vessels will be operated by the Philippine Navy.^[17][18]

General characteristics

USCGC Cochito launching a small boat from the stern ramp

Missions include combating drug smuggling, illegal immigration, marine fisheries enforcement and search and rescue support. Since the September 11, 2001 attacks, many have had a homeland security mission in the form of ports, waterways and coastal security (PWCS) patrols.^[19]

Boarding parties can be launched while the vessel is underway through the cutter's stern launching ramp.^[3] The attached rigid hull inflatable boat (RHIB) has been upgraded in an effort to increase speed and sea state sustainability for boarding parties and rescue and assistance teams. The stern launching system requires only a single crew member to remain on deck to launch or retrieve the boarding party.

The vessels consume approximately 165 gallons of diesel per hour at their maximum speed of 26 knots (48 km/h; 30 mph).

Like all new U.S. Coast Guard vessels, the Marine Protector class is designed to accommodate crews of mixed gender with five separate small berthing spaces accommodating standard crews of ten with maximum berthing for 12.^[3]

Sea Devil and Sea Fox are assigned to guard a United States Navy submarine base in Kings Bay, Georgia, replacing the decommissioned Sea Dragon and Sea Dog at that station.^[20] Sea Devil and Sea Fox earlier guarded another submarine base in Bangor, Washington. An additional machine gun operated by remote control was added to all four for this duty.^[3]

Boats in class

Image	Name	Hull Number	Homeport	Status
	USCGC Barracuda	WPB-87301	Eureka, California	Active
	USCGC Hammerhead	WPB-87302	Woods Hole, Massachusetts
	USCGC Mako	WPB-87303	Cape May, New Jersey
	USCGC Marlin	WPB-87304	Fort Myers Beach, Florida
	USCGC Stingray	WPB-87305	Mobile, Alabama
	USCGC Dorado	WPB-87306	Crescent City, California	Decommissioned on 25 May 2021. Donated to the Lebanese navy.
	USCGC Osprey	WPB-87307	Port Townsend, Washington
	USCGC Chinook	WPB-87308	New London, Connecticut
	USCGC Albacore	WPB-87309	New London, Connecticut	Decommissioned on 6 April 2021. Donated to Uruguay, renamed ROU Rio Arapey.[21]
	USCGC Tarpon	WPB-87310	Tybee Island, Georgia
	USCGC Cobia	WPB-87311	Mobile, Alabama
	USCGC Hawksbill	WPB-87312	Monterey, California
	USCGC Cormorant	WPB-87313	South Padre Island, Texas	Decommissioned
	USCGC Finback	WPB-87314	Cape May, New Jersey
	USCGC Amberjack	WPB-87315	South Padre Island, Texas
	USCGC Kittiwake	WPB-87316	Honolulu, Hawaii	Decommissioned on 7 June 2021.
	USCGC Blackfin	WPB-87317	Santa Barbara, California
	USCGC Bluefin	WPB-87318	Fort Pierce, Florida
	USCGC Yellowfin	WPB-87319	Charleston, South Carolina
	USCGC Manta	WPB-87320	Freeport, Texas	Decommissioned on 7 June 2021. Donated to the Lebanese navy.
	USCGC Coho	WPB-87321	Panama City, Florida
	USCGC Kingfisher	WPB-87322	Mayport, Florida
	USCGC Seahawk	WPB-87323
	USCGC Steelhead	WPB-87324	Port Aransas, Texas
	USCGC Beluga	WPB-87325	Little Creek, Virginia
	USCGC Blacktip	WPB-87326	Oxnard, California
	USCGC Pelican	WPB-87327	Abbeville, Louisiana
	USCGC Ridley	WPB-87328	Montauk, New York
	USCGC Cochito	WPB-87329	Little Creek, Virginia	Decommissioned on 11 May 2021. Donated to Uruguay, renamed ROU Rio De La Plata.[21]
	USCGC Manowar	WPB-87330	Mobile, Alabama
	USCGC Moray	WPB-87331	Jonesport, Maine
	USCGC Razorbill	WPB-87332	Gulfport, Mississippi
	USCGC Adelie	WPB-87333	Port Angeles, Washington
	USCGC Gannet	WPB-87334	Dania, Florida	Decommissioned on 20 April 2021. Donated to Uruguay, renamed ROU Rio Yaguaron.[21]
	USCGC Narwhal	WPB-87335	Corona Del Mar, California
	USCGC Sturgeon	WPB-87336	Grand Isle, Louisiana
	USCGC Sockeye	WPB-87337	Bodega Bay, California
	USCGC Ibis	WPB-87338	Cape May, New Jersey
	USCGC Pompano	WPB-87339	Gulfport, Mississippi
	USCGC Halibut	WPB-87340	Marina Del Rey, California
	USCGC Bonito	WPB-87341	Pensacola, Florida
	USCGC Shrike	WPB-87342	Port Canaveral, Florida
	USCGC Tern	WPB-87343	San Francisco, California
	USCGC Heron	WPB-87344	Sabine Pass, Texas
	USCGC Wahoo	WPB-87345	Port Angeles, Washington
	USCGC Flying Fish	WPB-87346	Boston, Massachusetts
	USCGC Haddock	WPB-87347	San Diego, California
	USCGC Brant	WPB-87348	Corpus Christi, Texas	Decommissioned on 17 March 2022
	USCGC Shearwater	WPB-87349	Portsmouth, Virginia	Decommissioned on 27 April 2021. Donated to the Lebanese navy.
	USCGC Petrel	WPB-87350	San Diego, California
		P51		Hull number 87351 was assigned to a vessel that was given to the Malta Maritime Squadron, where it became P51.[3]
		P52		Malta Maritime Squadron P52[3]
	USCGC Sea Lion	WPB-87352	Bellingham, Washington
	USCGC Skipjack	WPB-87353	Galveston, Texas
	USCGC Dolphin	WPB-87354	Miami, Florida
	USCGC Hawk	WPB-87355	St. Petersburg, Florida
	USCGC Sailfish	WPB-87356	Sandy Hook, New Jersey
	USCGC Sawfish	WPB-87357	Key West, Florida
	USCGC Swordfish	WPB-87358	Port Angeles, Washington
	USCGC Tiger Shark	WPB-87359	Newport, Rhode Island
	USCGC Blue Shark	WPB-87360	Everett, Washington
	USCGC Sea Horse	WPB-87361	Portsmouth, Virginia
	USCGC Sea Otter	WPB-87362	San Diego, California
	USCGC Manatee	WPB-87363	Corpus Christi, Texas
	USCGC Ahi	WPB-87364	Honolulu, Hawaii	Decommissioned on 7 June 2021.
	USCGC Pike	WPB-87365	Petersburg, Alaska[22]
	USCGC Terrapin	WPB-87366	Bellingham, Washington
	USCGC Sea Dragon	WPB-87367		Decommissioned 29 May 2024 at St. Marys, Georgia and transferred to MCAS Cherry Point, North Carolina.[20]
	USCGC Sea Devil	WPB-87368	Kings Bay, Georgia	In active service as of May 29, 2024.[20]
	USCGC Crocodile	WPB-87369	St Petersburg, Florida
	USCGC Diamondback	WPB-87370	Miami Beach, Florida
	USCGC Reef Shark	WPB-87371	Juneau, Alaska
	USCGC Alligator	WPB-87372	St. Petersburg, Florida
	USCGC Sea Dog	WPB-87373		Decommissioned 29 May 2024 at St. Marys, Georgia and transferred to MCAS Cherry Point, North Carolina.[20]
	USCGC Sea Fox	WPB-87374	Kings Bay, Georgia	In active service as of May 29, 2024.[20]
	Sana'a			Yemen Coast Guard vessel.[3][7] Reportedly sunk by a mine on 9 March 2017.[23]
	Aden			Yemen Coast Guard vessel.[3][7]

References

1. "WPB 87' Marine Protector Class". Globalsecurity.org. Archived from the original on 3 December 2016. Retrieved 13 February 2020.
2. "Coastal Patrol Boat" (PDF). USCG Acquisition Directorate. Archived (PDF) from the original on 27 August 2009. Retrieved 2 March 2011.
3. Flynn Jr., James T. (23 June 2014). "U. S. Coast Guard: Small Cutters and Patrol Boats 1915–2012" (PDF). US Coast Guard. Archived (PDF) from the original on 19 November 2018. The four boats which are stationed at Kitsap, WA and Kings Bay, GA submarine bases have an extra remotely operated 50 cal. m.g.
4. "Patrol Boat". Marine Talk. 18 October 1999. Archived from the original on 26 November 2010.
5. Keyon K. Jeff (11 October 2009). "Bollinger Shipyards delivers final Marine Protector-class CPB". Tri-Parish Times. Archived from the original on 11 October 2009. We're very sad to see the Sea Fox leave. This contract was supposed to end at 51 vessels, and now we're at 75," said Christopher Bollinger, executive vice president of new construction.
6. "USCG Contract for Bollinger". Marine News. July 2007. p. 8. Archived from the original on 18 July 2014. Retrieved 17 July 2014. What began in 1996 as a contract from the U. S. Coast Guard to Bollinger Shipyards, Inc., to build an 87-foot Marine Protector Class Coastal Patrol Boat (CPB) with options, has led to the delivery of 67 of the CPBs, and the signing of eight more CPBs.
7. "International Acquisition Programs". United States Coast Guard. 15 December 2009. The Coast Guard awarded a $28.2 million contract to Bollinger Shipyards, Inc., in Lockport, La., on September 11, 2009, to build two 87-foot Protector-class Coastal Patrol Boats for the Yemen Coast Guard.
8. "87-foot Coastal Patrol Boat (WPB) – Marine Protector Class". Marine Protector Class datasheet. US Coast Guard Historian's Office. Archived from the original on 17 May 2017. Retrieved 16 January 2012.
9. ""Last of the Class": USCGC PT BROWER (WPB 82372)". Transquest. 28 March 2003. Archived from the original on 17 April 2003. Retrieved 13 February 2020. On March 28th, 2003, the United States Coast Guard will transfer Coast Guard Cutter Point Brower (WPB 82372) to the country of Azerbaijan thus bringing an incredible era of "Point Class" vessels to an end.
10. "Department of Homeland Security, U.S. Coast Guard, Budget Overview, Fiscal Year 2021, Congressional Justification" (PDF). Department of Homeland Security. 2020. p. 27. Archived (PDF) from the original on 11 February 2020. Retrieved 13 February 2020. This initiative decommissions eight 87-foot Marine Protector Class CPBs. This initiative is based on the acquisition of the Fast Response Cutter (FRC) and Response Boat – Medium (RB-M), both of which are more capable than the legacy assets that they replace.
11. "The Lebanese Navy is Getting 7 New Offshore Patrol Vessels". 8 June 2021.
12. Montevideo, U. S. Embassy (18 November 2022). "U.S. Supports Uruguay Navy's Fleet Modernization with $8.69 million Protector Class Donation". U.S. Embassy in Uruguay. Retrieved 5 February 2024.
13. "Uruguayan Navy Modernizes Fleet with US Coast Guard Support". Diálogo Américas. 20 January 2022. Retrieved 5 February 2024.
14. "Ghana Navy commissions new vessels". Janes.com. Retrieved 6 February 2024.
15. Valmonte, Kaycee (2 May 2023). "US to transfer patrol boats, airplanes to Philippine military". Philstar Global. Archived from the original on 3 May 2023. Retrieved 3 May 2023.
16. "Philippines To Receive Four Ex-US Coast Guard Patrol Boats". Baird Maritime. 3 May 2023. Archived from the original on 3 May 2023. Retrieved 3 May 2023.
17. Nepomuceno, Priam (3 May 2023). "4 US patrol boats to beef up PH Navy's defense capabilities". Philippine News Agency. Archived from the original on 8 May 2023. Retrieved 8 May 2023.
18. "Understanding the United States' Patrol Boat Pledges to the Philippine Navy". Pitz Defense Analysis. 5 June 2023. Retrieved 5 June 2023.
19. "Office of Counterterrorism & Defense Operations Policy (CG-ODO)". US Coast Guard. 28 December 2016. Archived from the original on 20 May 2017. Retrieved 13 February 2020. The Homeland Security Act of 2002 divided the Coast Guard's eleven statutory missions between homeland security and non-homeland security. Reflecting the Coast Guard's historical role in defending our nation, the Act delineated Ports, Waterways and Coastal Security (PWCS) as the first homeland security mission.
20. "PHOTO RELEASE: Coast Guard cutters Sea Dog, Sea Dragon decommissioned in St. Marys, Georgia" (Press release). Jacksonville, Florida: PADET Jacksonville, United States Coast Guard, Department of Homeland Security. 29 May 2024. Retrieved 30 May 2024.
21. "Uruguay receives three Marine Protector-class patrol boats from US Coast Guard". 22 December 2021.
22. "17th District Units". United States Coast Guard - Pacific Area, U.S. Department of Homeland Security. Defense Media Activity. Retrieved 23 May 2024.
23. George, Seth (29 November 2018). "Maritime Incidents" (PDF). The Yemen Conflict & the Implications for Maritime Security (Report). p. 8. Retrieved 7 December 2019. 9 Mar 17 – Yemen Coast Guard Vessel Sana'a sank after reportedly making contact with a mine (two crew killed).

^[1]

External links

• Globalsecurity.org – WPB 87' Marine Protector Class
• U.S. Coast Guard: 87-foot Coastal Patrol Boat (WPB) – Marine Protector Class
• Bollinger Shipyards: USCG 87' “Marine Protector Class” Patrol Boats (CPB) > Principle Characteristics

1. "International Acquisition Programs". Acquisition Directorate. United States Coast Guard. 15 December 2009. Archived from the original on 31 January 2010.