USCG’s Lead Offshore Patrol Cutter ‘USCGC Argus’ Launched

Posted November 5, 2023
Last Updated November 6, 2023 @ 11:31am

Coast Guard

The lead ship of the U.S. Coast Guard’s highly anticipated Heritage-class offshore patrol cutter (OPC), the USCGC Argus, was successfully launched at Eastern Shipbuilding’s Nelson Shipyard in Panama City, Florida on Friday. This marks a significant milestone in the Coast Guard’s mission to enhance its fleet and capabilities.

Named after the historic Revenue Cutter Argus, which served the newly formed United States of America for an impressive 13 years starting in 1791, USCGC Argus pays homage to the service’s rich heritage. It is one of the ten original cutters assigned to the U.S. Revenue Cutter Service, a predecessor to the Coast Guard, and holds the record for the longest time in service among the group.

The construction of the offshore patrol cutters has been a massive undertaking, involving over 800 craft employees at Eastern Shipbuilding Group and the support of more than 200 businesses from more than a dozen states.

The 25-ship OPCs program represents the Coast Guard’s highest investment priority, a crucial step in modernizing and strengthening their capabilities for the future. Serving as a critical capability bridge between the national security cutter and the fast response cutter, the OPCs will replace the service’s aging 270-foot and 210-foot medium endurance cutters, which have become increasingly costly to maintain and operate.

Eastern Shipbuilding Group was initially awarded the contract to design and construct up to nine Offshore Patrol Cutters in 2016, marking the largest-ever vessel procurement contract in Coast Guard history. However, significant damage to Eastern Shipbuilding’s facilities caused by Hurricane Michael’s landfall in Panama City in 2018 caused not only the delay of the first OPC , but the contract was actually modified to four vessels as the program was divided into two stages.

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USCG’s Lead Offshore Patrol Cutter ‘USCGC Argus’ Launched

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USCG’s Lead Offshore Patrol Cutter ‘USCGC Argus’ Launched

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