Coast Guard Issues Sixth RFI for WCCs
The Coast Guard has released its sixth Request for Information (RFI) for its planned Waterways Commerce Cutters (WCCs) as it continues to gauge industry interest, capability and capacity to design and build the small craft that will ply the nation’s inland waters. For its WWC acquisition strategy, the Coast Guard is planning for three classes of mono-hull vessels. The service says these vessels will be self-propelled cutters instead of tug and barge combinations. The latest RFI focuses on the river buoy tender and inland construction tender classes, and the service says the configurations of these classes are expected to be identical except for their hull lengths, bow shapes, working deck layouts and deck equipment, including cranes designed for their mission set. There are currently 18 river buoy tenders and 13 inland construction tenders in the fleet. The third class covers the inland buoy tending mission, which may be acquired separately from the two classes. There are currently four inland buoy tenders in the fleet. The total number of WCCs to be acquired will be determined at the end of an ongoing analysis of alternatives. Respond by Sept. 25.