The U.S. Coast Guard’s Procurement, Policy, and Challenges

The U.S. Coast Guard operates a diverse fleet of vessels, carrying out critical missions such as drug and migrant interdiction, search and rescue operations, and icebreaking. As part of its modernization efforts, the Coast Guard is investing billions of dollars into two of its highest-priority shipbuilding programs—the acquisition of three heavy icebreakers, known as Polar Security Cutters, and a fleet of 25 Offshore Patrol Cutters to replace aging vessels. This book provides an in-depth examination of the Coast Guard’s approach to acquiring and overseeing its shipbuilding programs, the challenges encountered in these high-priority projects, the impact of these challenges, and the best practices for successful ship procurement.