DHS sees flaws in Coast Guard ship program

WASHINGTON, Jan. 27 (UPI) -- Government inspectors say the new class of cutter designed for the U.S. Coast Guard has design flaws.

The Washington Post reported Saturday that the National Security Cutter program suffered from lax oversight and has produced a design likely to lead to metal-fatigue cracks in the vessels.

The 416-foot cutter is part of a $24 Coast Guard modernization program and is designed to handle multiple missions, including homeland security. But the Department of Homeland Security said in the report to be released Monday that the Coast Guard was not equipped to adequately oversee the project.

The service said the report was not fully reflective of current data, but Congress nevertheless will hold hearings on Tuesday.