The Waterway Commerce Cutter (WCC) mission consists of two separate however associated vessel designs: the River Buoy Tender (WLR) and the Inland Construction Tender (WLIC) [Image: Birdon America]
The Coast Guard has awarded Denver-based Birdon America, Inc. a subsidiary of Australia’s Birdon Pty Ltd, a contract for the element design and development of its Waterways Commerce Cutters (WCC) program’s river buoy and inland development tenders. The preliminary award is price $28.49 million. The contract contains choices for the development of a complete of 16 river buoy tenders and 11 inland development tenders. If all contract line gadgets are exercised, the full contract worth is estimated at $1.19 billion.
Birdon says it has invested in growing and refining a totally compliant, complete, low-risk, and finest worth resolution for the USCG. Pre-award funding included full tank testing and preliminary design approval from the American Bureau of Shipping.
The WCC contract consists of two separate however associated vessel designs: the River Buoy Tender (WLR) and the Inland Construction Tender (WLIC).
Both variants are advanced, fashionable, and designed to navy requirements. The new cutter design is predicted to offer as much as 11 days of lodging and habitability for as much as 19 crew members.
- River buoy tenders service short-range aids to navigation (ATON) on the western rivers. They set, relocate and get well buoys to mark the navigable channel within the rivers because the water stage modifications and likewise set up and keep fastened aids, lights and daybeacons.
- Inland development tenders assemble, restore and keep fastened ATON inside inland waterways alongside the Eastern Seaboard and Gulf of Mexico. They are the one Coast Guard platform with the potential to drive and take away piles, erect towers and impact main structural modifications.
The WCCs will substitute the legacy inland tender fleet, which has a mean vessel age of over 57 years and contains ships nonetheless in service at 78 years outdated.
“This contract award is an important milestone for the new inland fleet that will improve our operational capability on the western rivers,” stated Adm. Linda Fagan, commandant, U.S. Coast Guard.
The new WCCs may have better endurance, pace and deck load capability than their predecessors. The ships may even function improved habitability and can accommodate mixed-gender crews.
BOLLINGER AND INCAT CROWTHER ON TEAM
Birdon says it’s constructing on its expertise and experience in main program administration, design, manufacture, and help of the USCG and U.S. Army watercraft applications, by teaming with rigorously chosen companions. Bollinger Shipyards (Bollinger) and Incat Crowther can be key subcontractors to Birdon and share Birdon’s dedication to delivering for the USCG. The total supply workforce will work beneath Birdon’s built-in, standardized management mannequin, which is confirmed throughout quite a few multiple-site initiatives within the U.S. and overseas.
Bollinger has a protracted historical past constructing vessels for the USCG, delivering 174 vessels within the final three a long time alone. Bollinger will subcontract to Birdon for manufacturing of the naked hulls. All of Birdon’s manufacturing actions will happen in Lockport, Louisiana.
Birdon has established a profitable observe document with the U.S. Coast Guard over the past three years by means of its present contract for the 47’ Motor Lifeboat Service Life Extension Program.
“We are confident that we represent a low risk, high-performing, and long-term partner for the Coast Guard on the WCC Program. Birdon, and our partners Bollinger and Incat Crowther, look forward to continuing our successful relationship with the Coast Guard for years to come,” stated Birdon CEO, Jamie Bruce.
The 27 vessels can be constructed inside a ten yr interval commencing with an 18 month design finalization interval.
