Press Releases
Hearing to Focus on Coast Guard Cutter Acquisition ProgramsThe Coast Guard and Maritime Transportation Subcommittee, chaired by U.S. Rep. Duncan Hunter (R-CA), will hold a hearing next week on the status of the U.S. Coast Guard’s cutter acquisition programs. The Coast Guard began recapitalizing its aging vessels and aircrafts in the late 1990’s, with a focus on replacing those assets that carry out missions farther than fifty miles from shore and modernizing information technology systems that the Service relies upon to coordinate its operations. The recapitalization program would procure eight National Security Cutters, 25 Offshore Patrol Cutters, and 58 Fast Response Cutters. These cutters will replace 90 ageing cutters and patrol craft, which are man-power intensive, becoming less reliable, more costly to repair and maintain, and most are nearing or beyond their estimated service life. The Subcommittee hearing, entitled, “Status of Coast Guard Cutter Acquisition Programs,” is scheduled to begin at 10:00 a.m. on Wednesday, February 3, 2016, in 2167 Rayburn House Office Building. Witness List: More information about the hearing, including testimony, additional background information, and link to live webcast, will be posted here as it becomes available. # # # |