Rubio Blasts Coast Guard for Moving Offshore Patrol Cutter Construction Out of Florida

Press Release

U.S. Senator Marco Rubio (R-FL) blasted the U.S. Coast Guard's announcement that it will not award Panama City's Eastern Shipbuilding with the second phase of its Offshore Patrol Cutter (OPC) program, which is for up to 11 cutters.

"Today's decision is short-sighted," Rubio said. "When I visited Eastern Shipbuilding last year, I saw firsthand their commitment to building reliable, state-of-the-art ships. They have proven they can do the job and do it well. This decision will cost taxpayers more money and slow down the delivery of these critical vessels."

The Coast Guard awarded the first OPC contract to Eastern in 2016. After Hurricane Michael wreaked havoc on Northwest Florida in 2019, Rubio led the effort to ensure the program stayed on track. In July 2021, Rubio toured the facility and received an update on the U.S. Coast Guard's OPC program.

Related:
July 8, 2021: Rubio Visits Eastern Shipbuilding
October 11, 2019: Rubio Applauds Coast Guard Commitment to Build Offshore Patrol Cutters in Florida
July 31, 2019: Rubio Applauds Commerce Committee Passage of the Restore Coast Guard Capabilities Act to Build Offshore Patrol Cutters
July 30, 2019: Rubio, Scott Introduce Bill to Provide Coast Guard with Needed Authority to Build Offshore Patrol Cutters
July 23, 2019: Rubio Introduces Legislation to Reduce Maintenance Backlog for Critical Coast Guard Infrastructure
June 13, 2019: Rubio, Scott file an amendment (S.AMDT.553) to the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2020 to consider the impacts of Hurricane Michael in Modification of the Offshore Patrol Cutter contract
January 16, 2019: Rubio Joins Colleagues In Supporting Pay Our Coast Guard Act
September 15, 2016: Rubio Congratulates Eastern Shipbuilding on Coast Guard Contract

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