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Patrol boats have continued to enhance bottom lines at many U.S. vessel builders this year through sales that are usually government directed or assisted. Budget cuts are a concern, but the sector?s federal funding remains high. Pa- trol boats are sold to other nations under the U.S. Foreign Military Sales or FMS program, authorized by the Arms Export Control Act to provide defense items. FMS sales of all goods and services were an estimated $25 billion in FY 2013, below a record $69 billion the previous year, but ex- ceeding an average of $10 to $13 billion annually before FY 2006. The U.S. government, with an eye to military-equip- ment competitors, including Britain, France, Russia, Brazil, China and South Korea, intends to remain a top supplier. For their part, U.S. builders have combined to create an enviable $410 million trade surplus, during last year alone. Domestically, the U.S. Coast Guard has continued to fund Fast Response Cutters (FRC) to replace an aging eet of patrol boats and conduct search-and-rescue, secure borders, interdict drugs, respond to disasters, enforce im- migration laws and prevent terrorism. But with tight state and municipal nances, fewer funds and grants are avail- able to pay for patrol vessels for local government entities. Abroad, patrol boats are needed to counter terrorism, crime and piracy and to shore up weak maritime defenses. ?Large vessels with limited mobility have become sitting ducks for motivated terrorists with small boats,? Robert Innovative ExportsInnovative Exports Elevate Expectations Elevate Expectations Building patrol boats is big business, especially for foreign defense needs. U.S. yards compete on a global stage in the all-important maritime security workboat arena. By Susan Buchanan MARITIME SECURITY December 201330 MNMN Dec2013 Layout 18-31.indd 30MN Dec2013 Layout 18-31.indd 3011/25/2013 12:47:00 PM11/25/2013 12:47:00 PM
