Rolls-Royce supplying propulsion components for USCG vessels

March 1 (UPI) -- The U.S. Coast Guard's new fleet of Offshore Patrol Cutters are to be outfitted with a range of Rolls-Royce products, including MTU marine generator sets.

Rolls-Royce said the propulsion products will be supplied under a contract from the Eastern Shipbuilding Group, which is building the first nine OPCs.

"The Offshore Patrol Cutter is the U.S. Coast Guard's largest shipbuilding program and we are extremely proud to be confirmed as a major supplier to Eastern Shipbuilding Group on a project that will transform future capability," Sam Cameron, senior vice president for naval sales and business development at Rolls-Royce, said in a press release.

"This contract marks one of the most comprehensive Rolls-Royce systems packages ever to be selected for a coast guard vessel, and we're looking forward to delivering and integrating our marine technology into this new and highly capable ship."

Among the systems Rolls-Royce is supplying for the vessels are controllable pitch propellers, shaft lines and Promas rudders, among other components, the company said.

The rudders, combined with the water-soluble polyalkylene glycol lubricant, deliver an efficient and environmentally friendly propulsion solution, Rolls-Royce said.

The company will also supply stabilizers and MTU marine generator sets -- Four EPA Tier 3 compliant MTU 12-cylinder Series 4000 generator sets for each OPC -- to provide propulsion for the cutters.

The new vessels will replace the USCG's fleet of Medium Endurance Cutters and will be built at ESG's shipbuilding facility in Panama City, Fla., starting next year. The U.S. Coast Guard plans to build a total of 25 OPC vessels.