The US Coast Guard (USCG) has officially accepted delivery of its 59th Sentinel-class fast response cutter (FRC), USCGC Earl Cunningham (WPC-1159), from Bollinger Shipyards in Florida.

The milestone marks continued progress in the Coast Guard’s modernization efforts, replacing aging Island-class patrol boats with state-of-the-art vessels designed for improved mission capabilities and endurance.

The Earl Cunningham is the second of three FRCs assigned to Kodiak, Alaska, and will eventually be transferred to an under-construction homeport in Seward, where future Sentinel-class cutters will also be stationed.

A Modern Replacement for Island-Class Patrol Boats

The Sentinel-class fast response cutters were introduced as part of a 2008 program to replace the 1980s-era Island-class 110-foot patrol boats. The FRCs incorporate 21st-century technology, including advanced command, control, communications, computers, intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (C4ISR) systems.

These cutters offer improved habitability, seakeeping, and operational efficiency, enabling them to conduct missions in high-threat maritime zones and border security operations.

USCGC Bernard C. Webber
USCGC Bernard C. Webber (WPC-1101), the first Sentinel-class fast response cutters. (Wikimedia Commons)

With 67 FRCs ordered to date, these vessels play a vital role in drug and alien interdiction, joint international operations, and national defense.

The Earl Cunningham’s arrival brings the USCG closer to completing its Sentinel-class fleet, which will enhance security in US ports, waterways, and coastal areas.

Technical Specifications of USCGC Earl Cunningham

The USCGC Earl Cunningham boasts an impressive 47-meter (154-foot) hull length with an 8-meter (26-foot) beam. It is powered by two MTU engines, each delivering 5,800 horsepower, and includes a 101-horsepower bow thruster for enhanced maneuverability.

The vessel is designed for five-day deployments and can achieve speeds of over 28 knots (52 km/h or 32 mph).

With accommodation for over 20 personnel, it features space for small boats and supports crew-served and mounted heavy machine guns, enhancing its operational effectiveness in law enforcement and security missions.

Coast Guard Cutter Missions and Global Operations

The Sentinel-class FRCs have demonstrated their effectiveness in various high-stakes missions.

In February 2025, the Coast Guard Cutter Emlen Tunnell intercepted 2,400 kilograms of illegal narcotics in the Arabian Sea, working under a Combined Task Force operation led by New Zealand.

With 57 FRCs currently in service, stationed in Florida, Puerto Rico, Bahrain, Massachusetts, California, Alaska, and more, these cutters are deployed globally to protect US waters, conduct counter-narcotics operations, and collaborate with international partners in securing maritime borders.

Honoring a Coast Guard Hero: The Legacy of Earl Cunningham

Each Sentinel-class cutter is named after a Coast Guard hero who demonstrated extraordinary service.

Earl Cunningham, the namesake of the 59th FRC, was a World War I Army veteran and later a Coast Guardsman stationed at Charlevoix, Michigan.

In February 1936, while off duty, Cunningham volunteered for a dangerous rescue mission after five ice fishermen were stranded on Lake Michigan. He reached two of the fishermen but was unable to return due to a blizzard and extreme wind conditions.

After two days in freezing temperatures, Cunningham succumbed to hypothermia, along with one of the fishermen. The sole survivor crawled nine miles to shore but suffered severe injuries, eventually losing his feet to gangrene.

For his selfless sacrifice, Cunningham was posthumously awarded the Gold Life Saving Medal. His legacy of bravery and dedication is now honored through USCGC Earl Cunningham (WPC-1159).

Future Deployment and Expansion

The Coast Guard is continuing its FRC deployment program, with additional cutters scheduled for delivery to existing and future homeports, including the upcoming facility in Seward, Alaska. The USCGC Earl Cunningham’s assignment to Kodiak reflects the Coast Guard’s commitment to expanding operations in strategic regions.

As the Sentinel-class fleet nears completion, these high-speed, technologically advanced vessels will reinforce national security, counter illegal activities, and support international maritime law enforcement efforts.