Offshore Patrol Cutter

An early artist's conception of the Offshore Patrol Cutter, prior to dropping the stern launching ramp.

The United States Coast Guard (USCG) Offshore Patrol Cutter was one design among several new cutter designs developed as part of the Integrated Deepwater System Program.

The cutter was originally proposed to include two rear-launching ramps, each capable of launching and retrieving a RHIB (rigid-hull inflatable boat), without first stopping. Unlike smaller cutters, like the Marine Protector, the Offshore Patrol Cutter and the National Security Cutter will be able to launch and retrieve both the Short Range Prosecutor and the larger Long Range Interceptor. The RHIBs will be used for intercepting suspect vessels, or for rescuing swimmers. Both RHIB types are propelled by diesel powered water jets.

In 2010 and 2011 some commentators speculated that the entire program was vulnerable to cancellation on budgetary grounds, because of the long delay in finalizing a preliminary design.

A bill passed by the United States Congress on November 15, 2011, imposed conditions on the Coast Guard's capital expenditures, that revolved around the design of the Offshore Patrol Cutter.

By December 2011 plans for the cutter started to become more concrete. Plans to include a stern launching ramp, as on the National Security Cutters and the Fast Response Cutters, had been eliminated on budgetary grounds.

In February 2014, the USCG announced that Bollinger Shipyards, Eastern Shipbuilding and General Dynamics Bath Iron Works had been awarded design contracts for the OPC. The Government Accountability Office denied contract appeals by VT Halter Marine and Ingalls Shipbuilding.

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• Matagorda deploying and retrieving her Short Range Prosecutor at speed.