Lockport, LA., June 25, 2007 - What began in 1996 as a contract from the U. S. Coast Guard to Bollinger Shipyards, Inc., of Lockport, Louisiana to build one 87-foot Marine Protector Class Coastal Patrol Boat (CPB) with options, has led to the delivery of 67 of the CPB's, and the signing of eight (8) more of the highly respected CPB’s.

"The contracting of the additional CPB’s by the USCG direct with Bollinger is a great tribute to the Bollinger workforce, who has successfully delivered 67 quality Marine Protector Class Patrol Boats to the USCG over the past 11 years,” said Bollinger chairman and CEO Donald "Boysie” Bollinger.

Because of increased homeland security and other mission requirements, the Coast Guard has received authorization and has contracted with Bollinger to build eight (8) additional CPB's. The highly successful Marine Protector Class boats are multi-mission platforms capable of performing Search and Rescue (SAR), Law Enforcement (LE), and Fisheries Patrols, as well as drug interdiction and illegal alien interdiction duties up to 200 miles offshore.

The Bollinger built CPB's are based on the Damen STAN 2600 design developed for the Hong Kong police. Bollinger modified the design to meet U. S. Coast Guard requirements, some of which are: maximum continuous speed of 25 knots; patrol speed not less than 10 knots; maneuvering speed not greater than four knots with one engine continuously engaged; berthing for a mix of male/female crew members of 10, plus a spare berth; maximum crew comfort consistent with the operational requirements; provisions for stores for a crew of 10 for a five-day mission and ability to carry, launch and recover a Rigid Hull Inflatable Boat (RIB) in seas up to 8 feet (2.5 meters) wave height.

The eight (8) new patrol boats will be nearly identical to the past 67 vessels delivered from Bollinger over the past 11 years. They are 87 feet long (26.5M) long, 19 feet-four inches wide (5.92M) with a maximum draft of five feet-eight inches (1.74M). They are armed with two 50 caliber machine guns as well as small arms. The CPB's can carry approximately 2,900 gallons (11,000L) of fuel, and approximately 400 gallons (1500L) of potable water. The vessels are designed in accordance with the American Bureau of Shipping's (ABS) Guide for Building and Classing High Speed Crafts, and are capable of towing vessels weighing up to 200 tons.

Two MTU 8V 396 TE94 diesel engines developing 1500 HP drive five-blade propellers on each of the boats, through ZF BW 255 reverse/reduction gears. The system includes a slow speed drive capability to ensure that the vessels can maneuver in restricted waters as well as tow small pleasure craft after a successful search and rescue mission. The engine control and monitoring systems are equipped with operational data recorders to provide performance-based maintenance and to improve logistic support. Each vessel is equipped with a 250-gallon per day reverse osmosis water maker.

Crew comfort is achieved through the use of four two-person staterooms and one three-person stateroom. Each stateroom is equipped with internal telephones and sound-powered phones as well as sinks and potable water service. There are two water closets and two showers to give maximum utilization to the sanitary facilities. The mess deck has seating for nine crewmembers and is furnished with television, a VCR, and stereo equipment for crew relaxation.

As with the previous 67 vessels, the eight (8) newly contracted USCG 87-foot Marine Protector Class Coastal Patrol Boats will be engineered and built at Bollinger’s Lockport, Louisiana facility.

Bollinger Shipyards, Inc. is a leading designer and builder of fast military patrol boats, ocean-going double hull barges, offshore oil field support vessels, tug boats, rigs, liftboats, inland waterways push boats and other steel and aluminum products from its three new construction shipyards. Bollinger has 13 shipyards and all are strategically located between New Orleans and Houston with direct access to the Gulf of Mexico, Mississippi River and the Intracoastal Waterway. Bollinger is the largest vessel repair company in the Gulf of Mexico region with a total of 40 dry-docks in Louisiana and Texas.