The Navy’s Mark VI patrol boats would make a good replacement for the Coast Guard’s 87s, as they are similar in size and have similar mission capabilities.
The Navy’s Mark VI patrol boats would make a good replacement for the Coast Guard’s 87s, as they are similar in size and have similar mission capabilities.
U.S. Navy (Kory Alsberry)

Considerations for a Future Patrol Boat

By Lieutenants James Martin and Jasper Campbell, U.S. Coast Guard
April 2020
Proceedings
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During the Coast Guard’s November 2018 virtual town hall, the Commandant, Admiral Karl Schultz, fielded a question regarding the recapitalization of the Marine Protector-class patrol boat fleet, colloquially known as “87s.” The Commandant stated there were no plans to recapitalize the fleet, as the Recurring Depot Availability Program (RDAP) is anticipated to extend the service life of the 87s well into 2030. While RDAP will extend the service life of the fleet, a way forward must be decided. The Coast Guard must assess the 87’s role as a leadership development platform for the organization’s most promising junior officers and senior enlisted members, and consider replacing it with a highly capable Navy platform of similar size and with similar missions—Mark VIs. 

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Lieutenant James Martin

Lieutenant Martin is the commanding officer of USCGC Ibis (WPB-87338), homeported in Fort Pierce, Florida. His previous tours include executive officer on board the USCGC Monomoy (WPB-1326) in Manama, Bahrain, and the USCGC Valiant (WMEC-621), in Mayport, Florida, where he served as a deck watch officer and first lieutenant. He graduated with a bachelor’s degree in naval architecture and marine engineering with honors from the U.S. Coast Guard Academy in 2015.

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Lieutenant Jasper Campbell

Lieutenant Campbell is a project manager and systems engineer at the U.S. Coast Guard Command, Control, and Communications Engineering Center in Portsmouth, Virginia. He previously served on board the USCGC Midgett (WHEC-726) as a deck watch and law enforcement officer. He graduated with a bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering from the U.S. Coast Guard Academy in 2015. 

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