USCG Marine Protector-class

Coast Guard Cutter / Patrol Vessel

United States | 1999

"Marine Protector-class boats provide the modern USCG service with a multi-faceted quick-reaction solution."

Authored By: Staff Writer | Last Edited: 02/10/2023 | Content ©www.MilitaryFactory.com | The following text is exclusive to this site; No A.I. was used in the generation of this content.

Image from the U.S. DoD DVIDS imagery database; Public Release.

The United States Coast Guard (USCG) continues to make use of the 87-foot-long Marine Protector-class cutter in number with some seventy-three hulls completed (of which sixty-seven now remain active, several having been sold to the nation of Uruguay and others or simply retired). These boats are primarily utilized for general coastal-minded patrol purposes but can undertake law / fisheries / border enforcement, drug interdiction, homeland security, and illegal immigration sorties. The hulls were constructed at Bollinger Shipyards at Lockport, Louisiana and entered commissioned service in 1998.

The Marine Protector-class was adopted to succeed an aging fleet of 82-foot Point-class boats in same role, offering enhancements to Blue Water capabilities, crew comfortability, and environmental impact. Onboard is a digital chart display, AN/SPS-73 series surface-search radar, and an enlarged pilothouse / bridge section. The pilothouse takes up a commanding view over the hull superstructure with excellent views all about the craft. Various systems, sensors, and arrays are positioned over the bridge roof line and this includes components set on the lattice-style main mast.

Given an inherent operational range out to 900 nautical miles and a draught of just 5.6 feet, the boats have good "legs" in the littoral zone out to the Blue Water operating environment. Other dimensions of note include a beam of 19.4 feet. Displacement is 102 tons.

Propulsion power is from 2 x MTU marine diesel engines providing the hull with a top waterborne speed of 25 knots in ideal conditions. With onboard provisions stocked and the boat fully-fueled, the vessel can remain at-sea for three days with its typical operating crew of ten (though up to twelve crew can be housed relatively comfortably).

Armament is a modest arrangement of 2 x 12.7mm Browning M2 Heavy Machine Guns (HMGs) to be used in boarding actions, direct-action against belligerent vessels, and general deterrence. The guns are seated on trainable mountings at each "cheek" position along the forecastle - this being in addition to any personal arms carried by the crew.

The boats were acquired by the USCG through an initial 50-strong order in 1999. Deliveries of the first hulls began soon after in 2002 and, from there, additional hulls were ordered to push the Point-class completely out of service. The Marine Protector-class itself is fielded alongside the dimensionally-larger, Blue Water-minded Sentinel-class cutters of the USCG which shares some of the same mission set.

Beyond the USCG and Uruguay, the boat is utilized by forces in Lebanon, Malta, and Yemen.

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Power & Performance
Those special qualities that separate one sea-going vessel design from another. Performance specifications presented assume optimal operating conditions for USCG Marine Protector-class.

2 x MTU marine diesel engines driving 2 x Shafts astern.
Propulsion

25.0 kts
28.8 mph
Surface Speed

899 nm
1,035 miles | 1,666 km
Range

Structure
The bow-to-stern, port-to-starboard physical qualities of USCG Marine Protector-class.

10
Personnel
Complement

87.0 ft
26.52 meters
O/A Length

19.4 ft
5.91 meters
Beam

5.6 ft
1.71 meters
Draught

102
tons
Displacement

Armament
Available supported armament and special-mission equipment featured in the design of USCG Marine Protector-class.

2 x 0.50 caliber (12.7mm) Browning M2 Heavy Machine Guns (HMGs).

Also any personal weapons carried by the crew.

Ships-in-Class (73)
Notable series variants as part of the USCG Marine Protector-class family line as relating to the Marine Protector-class group.

USCG Barracuda; USCG Hammerhead; USCG Mako; USCG Marlin; USCG Stingray; USCG Dorado; USCG Osprey; USCG Chinook; USCG Albacore; USCG Tarpon; USCG Cobia; USCG Hawksbill; USCG Cormorant; USCG Finback; USCG Amberjack; USCG Kittiwake; USCG Blackfin; USCG Bluefin; USCG Yellowfin; USCG Manta; USCG Coho; USCG Kingfisher; USCG Seahawk; USCG Steelhead; USCG Beluga; USCG Blacktip; USCG Pelican; USCG Ridley; USCG Cochito; USCG Manowar; USCG Moray; USCG Razorbill; USCG Adelie; USCG Gannet; USCG Narwhal; USCG Sturgeon; USCG Sockeye; USCG Ibis; USCG Pompano; USCG Halibut; USCG Bonito; USCG Shrike; USCG Tern; USCG Heron; USCG Wahoo; USCG Flyingfish; USCG Haddock; USCG Brant; USCG Shearwater; USCG Petrel; USCG Sea Lion; USCG Skipjack; USCG Dolphin; USCG Hawk; USCG Sailfish; USCG Sawfish; USCG Swordfish; USCG Tiger Shark; USCG Blue Shark; USCG Sea Horse; USCG Sea Otter; USCG Manatee; USCG Ahi; USCG Pike; USCG Terrapin; USCG Sea Dragon; USCG Sea Devil; USCG Crocodile; USCG Diamondback; USCG Reef Shark; USCG Alligator; USCG Sea Dog; USCG Sea Fox

Operators
Global operator(s) of the USCG Marine Protector-class. Nations are displayed by flag, each linked to their respective national naval warfare listing.

Shipbuilder(s): Bollinger Shipyards (Louisiana) - USA

[ Lebanon; Malta; United States; Uruguay; Yemen ]

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Image of the USCG Marine Protector-class

Image from the U.S. DoD DVIDS imagery database; Public Release.

Mission Roles
Some designs are single-minded in their approach while others offer a more versatile solution to seaborne requirements.

CLOSE-TO-SHORE

OFFSHORE OPERATION

Recognition
Some designs stand the test of time while others are doomed to never advance beyond the drawing board; let history be their judge.

Military lapel ribbon representing modern aircraft

Going Further...
USCG Marine Protector-class Coast Guard Cutter / Patrol Vessel appears in the following collections:

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