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New England Section
by Greg Beers

Pete Lenes from Bollinger Shipyards, in Lockport, Louisiana, addressed the New England Section on November 20th at the United States Coast Guard (USCG) Academy. Many Academy cadets were in attendance as the topic, the USCG Fast Response Cutter, was also the topic of the cadets' design project. The cadets’ attendance and interest in the topic was evident to, and appreciated by, the Section membership, and Mr. Lenes, who is a 1969 Graduate of the Academy.

In addition to his Academy degree, Mr. Lenes has a postgraduate degree in Naval Architecture and Marine Engineering from the University of Michigan. His Coast Guard career included three shipboard tours on high endurance cutters and an ice breaker, as well as engineering staff positions in Coast Guard Headquarters as the USCG SWATH design manager, and district offices in naval engineering positions. Mr. Lenes' final USCG position was as the Commanding Officer of the 110' WPB Resident Inspector Office at Bollinger Shipyards, retiring in 1992. From 1992 to 2000, Mr. Lenes was Manager of Advanced Programs at Halter Maine, but in 2000, Mr. Lenes returned to Bollinger Shipyards as a Program Manager with R&D projects. He most recently served as Bollinger’s Fast Response Craft (FRC) IPT member to evaluate the FRC component of the USCG Deepwater Program, which was the topic of his presentation.

Mr. Lenes explained the background of the USCG Deepwater Project and the need for the Fast Response Cutter. After investigating the shortcomings of the existing systems, including C4ISR supportability and capability, and small boat launch and recovery capabilities, Mr. Lenes

delved into the alternatives and assumptions for the FRC. The initial requirements were outlined, including the need for a proven hull design requiring little redesign (much to the dismay of the naval architects in attendance), and the ability to perform multiple missions including naval operations and supporting U.S. Navy Seal Teams.

Critical design parameters, including a speed threshold of 28 knots in sea state 3, and a speed objective of 35 knots in sea state 4, were described, and candidate parent hulls were reviewed. Criteria for the hull trade surveys were reviewed, along with the hull material and propulsion systems. Finally, four alternative designs were described, ranging from a low acquisition cost version that is essentially a new 123 ft Patrol Boat (which, alternatively, is a stretched version of the 110 ft Patrol Boat, with which Mr. Lenes has previous experience); to the larger, more expensive, FRC 160. Total ownership cost was the concluding subject for Mr. Lenes’ presentation, which segued into to a lively discussion with the audience, most notably, with the USCGA cadets who have a vested interest in the subject. The section is indebted to Mr. Lenes for an interesting presentation on such a relevant topic.

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