The U.S. Coast Guard has officially accepted delivery of its 62nd Fast Response Cutter, the USCGC Vincent Danz (WPC 1162), in Key West. This marks a significant milestone for the organization as it continues to expand its capabilities and presence in the Pacific region. The cutter is homeported in Guam, where it will join other FRCs in supporting maritime security operations and countering illicit activities.
The Vincent Danz Fast Response Cutter is named after a New York City police officer who made the ultimate sacrifice on September 11, 2001, while responding to the attacks on the World Trade Center. His actions embodied the Coast Guard's core values of honor, respect, and devotion to duty. The cutter's namesake, Vincent Danz, was a veteran of the United States Marine Corps and served as a Port Security Specialist in the Coast Guard Reserve.
The FRCs are designed to replace the 1980s Island-class 110-foot patrol boats and possess advanced command, control, communications, computers, cyber, intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance equipment. They also feature improved habitability and seakeeping capabilities, making them well-suited for a range of missions in the Pacific region.
The U.S. Coast Guard has ordered a total of 77 FRCs to date, with each cutter named after an enlisted hero who performed extraordinary service in the line of duty. The new addition brings the total number of FRCs in service to 61, with the remaining cutters homeported in various locations across the United States.
The FRCs play a critical role in supporting maritime security operations and countering illicit activities in the Pacific region. They are capable of conducting search and rescue missions, bilateral and multilateral international operations, and providing national defense for ports, waterways, and coastal areas.
The addition of the Vincent Danz to the fleet highlights the importance of honoring those who have made the ultimate sacrifice in service to their country. The Coast Guard's commitment to recognizing and remembering its fallen heroes is a testament to the organization's values and traditions.
The FRCs homeported in Guam extend the U.S. Coast Guard's operational reach across the Pacific, conducting maritime security operations, combating illegal fishing, supporting search and rescue missions, and strengthening partnerships with Pacific Island nations and Allies.
Since their commissioning in 2021, the FRC crews have distinguished themselves across the region, demonstrating the capabilities of these advanced cutters. From operationalizing bilateral maritime law enforcement agreements to conducting joint patrols and boardings, the crew of USCGC Vincent Danz will be expected to uphold the Coast Guard's core values.
The addition of the Vincent Danz to the fleet brings new opportunities for the U.S. Coast Guard to engage with Pacific Island nations and Allies, promoting maritime security and cooperation across the region.
Overall, the delivery of the USCGC Vincent Danz marks an important milestone in the U.S. Coast Guard's efforts to expand its presence and capabilities in the Pacific region, while honoring the legacy of those who have made the ultimate sacrifice in service to their country.
The addition of the Vincent Danz to the fleet highlights the importance of honoring those who have made the ultimate sacrifice in service to their country.
