Biological and Conference Opinion United States Coast Guard Construction and Operation of up to 25 New Offshore Patrol Cutters, Cross-regional

USCG operations occur inland (e.g., the Great Lakes, the Mississippi
River), in coastal (within 12 nm [22 km] from shore), and in offshore waters (outside 12 nm
from shore). Mission demands in offshore waters 50 nm (93 km) or more from shore may
require an extended on-scene vessel presence, a long transit time to reach the operational
area, or a forward deployment of forces (e.g., national defense). USCG personnel may be
deployed on missions that take place in offshore waters for several months at a time in a
variety of climates.

From 1964 to 1991, the USCG acquired 30 Medium Endurance Cutters (MECs). Cutters in the
Reliance-class (210 ft; 64 m) were commissioned between 1964 and 1969. Of these cutters, 14
of the 16 MECs are still operational and homeported in the Atlantic, Pacific, and Gulf of
Mexico USCG operational areas. These cutters primarily execute maritime law enforcement
(LE) and search and rescue (SAR) missions. Cutters in the Famous-class (270 ft [82 m]) were
commissioned between 1979 and 1991, and all 13 are operational and homeported in the
Atlantic and Gulf of Mexico USCG operational areas. Additionally, a former U.S. Navy (Navy)
rescue and salvage ship, USCG Cutter ALEX HALEY, stationed in Kodiak, Alaska, was
reconfigured for USCG MEC missions and transferred to USCG service in 1999. All of the MECs
feature a flight deck for helicopter operations to primarily execute maritime LE and SAR
missions. As the MECs age, they are becoming technologically obsolete and increasingly
expensive to maintain and operate.

For these reasons, the USCG has requested the acquisition of 25 OPCs with planned 30-year
service lives.