Austal USA Holds Keel-Laying for its First Offshore Patrol Cutter

Austal USA Holds Keel-Laying for its First Offshore Patrol Cutter

On Monday, Austal USA laid the keel for the future USCGC Pickering, the first vessel for the yard's Offshore Patrol Cutter contract for the U.S. Coas...

Austal USA lays keel on first Heritage-class Offshore Patrol Cutter

Austal USA hosted a keel laying ceremony today for the first U.S. Coast Guard (USCG) Heritage-class Offshore Patrol Cutter (OPC) to be built at the company’s Mo

Austal USA Lays Keel for First Offshore Patrol Cutter as Program Faces Headwinds

Austal USA marked a ceremonial milestone in the U.S. Coast Guard’s troubled Offshore Patrol Cutter program Monday with the keel authentication for Pickering (WMSM 919), the first Heritage-class cutter to...

Austal USA lays keel of its first OPC: Pickering (WMSM 919)

Austal USA yesterday hosted a keel laying ceremony for Pickering (WMSM 919), the first U.S. Coast Guard (USCG) Heritage-class Offshore Patrol Cutter (OPC) to be built at the company’s Mobile, Ala., shipyard. Pickering (WMSM 919). is being built under a contract that includes up to 11 cutters and has a potential value of $3.3 billion. The Coast Guard has executed contract options for six of the 11 cutters to date. Ship sponsor Dr. Meghan Pickerin…

U.S. Coast Guard Authenticates Keel for Offshore Patrol Cutter

The Coast Guard authenticated the keel for the future Coast Guard Cutter Pickering during a ceremony Monday in Mobile, Alabama. Keel authentication is a time-honored shipbuilding tradition marking the formal start of a vessel’s construction.

Austal USA Lays Keel on First Offshore Patrol Cutter

On December 8, 2025, Austal USA hosted a keel laying ceremony for the first U.S. Coast Guard (USCG) Heritage-class Offshore Patrol Cutter (OPC) to be built at the company’s Mobile, Ala. ship manufacturing facility.  Austal press release Pickering (WMSM 919) is being built under a contract that includes up to 11 cutters and has a potential value of $3.3 billion. The Coast Guard has executed contract options for six of the 11 cutters to date. Ship…