US Coast Guard transfers three Island-class patrol boats to Colombia to strengthen maritime surveillance capabilities.

On May 16, 2025, the US Coast Guard confirmed that three decommissioned Island-class patrol boats, the USCGC Naushon (WPB 1311), USCGC Mustang (WPB 1310), and USCGC Liberty (WPB 1334), will be transferred to the Colombian Navy via the Excess Defense Articles (EDA) program. The three vessels departed Ketchikan, Alaska, on May 14, 2025, and were observed transiting through Seymour Narrows in British Columbia later that month. This transfer provides Colombia with additional maritime assets and marks the end of the Island-class patrol boat service in the U.S. Coast Guard inventory. The EDA transfer is conducted in accordance with U.S. policy guidelines, which permit partner nations to acquire surplus defense equipment on an "as is, where is" basis, subject to end-use and security assurances.
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The USCGC Liberty (WPB 1334), commissioned in December 1989, performed fisheries enforcement, SAR operations, and maritime interdiction duties, and was decommissioned on April 29, 2025. (Picture source: US DoD)

The decommissioning of the three cutters concluded a multi-decade period of service in the Alaskan region. The USCGC Naushon (WPB 1311) was decommissioned on March 21, 2025, in Homer, Alaska, where it had been based since 2016. It completed over 50 search-and-rescue operations and nearly 900 law enforcement patrols during this period. The USCGC Mustang (WPB 1310) was decommissioned on April 16, 2025, in Seward, where it had been homeported throughout its nearly 40 years in service. Its crew responded to over 200 SAR calls and conducted approximately 2,000 law enforcement operations. The USCGC Liberty (WPB 1334), commissioned in December 1989 and homeported initially in Juneau before transferring to Valdez in 2022, was decommissioned on April 29, 2025. It performed fisheries enforcement, SAR operations, and maritime interdiction duties. All three cutters are expected to be refitted at the Coast Guard Yard in Baltimore before being formally delivered to Colombia.

Island-class patrol boats were commissioned between 1985 and 1992. All 49 units were constructed at Bollinger Shipyards in Lockport, Louisiana, based on a modified British Vosper Thornycroft 33-meter patrol boat design. Each cutter measures 110 feet (34 meters) in length, has a beam of 21 feet (6.4 meters), and a draft of 7.3 feet (2.2 meters). Depending on the production batch, full-load displacement varies between 153 and 163 tons. The propulsion system consists of two diesel engines: either Paxman Valenta 16-CM RP200M or Caterpillar 3516, delivering top speeds close to 29.7 knots. Operational range is approximately 1,882 nautical miles (3,485 km) at 26 knots. Each cutter is capable of a five-day endurance and typically operates with a crew of 16. Armaments on board include a 25 mm Mk 38 Bushmaster cannon and two .50 caliber M2 machine guns. Stabilization is provided by active fin systems, and fuel capacity reaches 10,600 gallons (40,000 liters). Electrical power is supplied by two Caterpillar 3304T generators producing 99 kW each.

Throughout their service life, Island-class cutters were deployed in a wide variety of missions, including drug interdiction, search and rescue, fisheries enforcement, maritime security, and defense support operations. Their deployment history includes participation in mass migration events such as Operation Able Vigil in 1994, where cutters like Cushing assisted in the interdiction and repatriation of more than 63,000 migrants. Following the September 11 attacks, USCGC Adak used its platform to support evacuation and coordination in New York Harbor. Eight Island-class cutters were deployed during Operation Iraqi Freedom; four of them, Adak, Aquidneck, Baranof, and Wrangell, were sent to the Persian Gulf for maritime intercept operations, and others were assigned to Patrol Forces Mediterranean. These vessels were among the first U.S. ships to enter the Iraqi port of Umm Qasr and escorted merchant vessels into port facilities during and after the conflict.

The USCGC Naushon (WPB 1311) was decommissioned on March 21, 2025, in Homer, Alaska, where it had been based since 2016. It completed over 50 search-and-rescue operations and nearly 900 law enforcement patrols during this period. (Picture source: US DoD)

The USCGC Naushon (WPB 1311), USCGC Mustang (WPB 1310), and USCGC Liberty (WPB 1334) were classified as A- and B-series vessels. The A-series included hulls WPB 1301–1316 and were built with lighter bow plating. Due to cracking in head sea conditions, reinforcements were later applied. The B-series (WPB 1317–1337) incorporated thicker plating to address this issue. C-series cutters (WPB 1338–1349) were equipped with Caterpillar engines and had a reduced minimum speed, allowing improved towing and SAR performance. Modifications across the fleet over time included the addition of stern flaps to improve fuel efficiency and structural changes to enable extended deployment durations. The Island-class also included an 18.3-foot rigid inflatable cutter boat, medium (CB-M) with a 90 hp Yamaha outboard engine, and an Appleton Marine crane with a 1,750 lb capacity.

Efforts to extend the lifespan of the class included the 110/123 conversion program, which began in the early 2000s as part of the Deepwater recapitalization plan. Eight cutters were modified with lengthened hulls, stern launching ramps, and new superstructures. However, structural deficiencies emerged during testing, leading to the cancellation of the program in 2006. All eight converted vessels were subsequently decommissioned and scrapped. The conversion program cost approximately $95 million and resulted in legal proceedings involving the shipbuilder Bollinger. A settlement of $8.5 million was reached in 2015 following allegations of contract misrepresentation.

The U.S. Coast Guard began phasing out Island-class cutters in favor of Sentinel-class Fast Response Cutters (FRCs), a process that began in 2012. Sentinel-class cutters are 154 feet long, with improved communications, navigation systems, and endurance. The Alaska-based FRC fleet includes USCGC John McCormick, Anthony Petit, Bailey Barco, and John Witherspoon. Two additional FRCs are scheduled to be homeported in Alaska in the near future.

The USCGC Mustang (WPB 1310) was decommissioned on April 16, 2025, in Seward, where it had been homeported throughout its nearly 40 years in service. Its crew responded to over 200 SAR calls and conducted approximately 2,000 law enforcement operations. (Picture source: US DoD)

Transfers of Island-class cutters have been conducted with multiple partner nations through the EDA program. The Ukrainian Navy received five vessels beginning in 2019. One, renamed Sloviansk (ex-Cushing), was sunk by Russian aircraft in the Black Sea in March 2022. Four former Bahrain-based cutters were transferred to the Hellenic Navy and commissioned into Greek service on January 20, 2025. Costa Rica, Pakistan, Tunisia, and Georgia also operate Island-class vessels. Ecuador, the Philippines, and Cameroon were offered ships, although not all proposed transfers have been completed. Transfer agreements require State Department concurrence, end-use assurances under Section 505 of the Foreign Assistance Act, and compliance with the Leahy Laws concerning human rights. Congressional notification is required for Significant Military Equipment transfers or where original acquisition costs exceed $7 million.

The three cutters now being transferred to Colombia were among the last seven Island-class vessels operating in Alaska before the transition to newer platforms. Colombia is expected to employ them in coastal surveillance, maritime interdiction, and counter-narcotics missions. The EDA program provides equipment without cost or at reduced pricing and allows U.S. partners to augment their inventories using existing infrastructure and maintenance capabilities. Title transfers occur at the point of origin unless otherwise specified, and partners may inspect vessels prior to acceptance.

Following decades of operation in U.S. service, Naushon, Mustang, and Liberty are scheduled to be refitted before delivery to Colombia. The Colombian Navy is expected to integrate these assets into its maritime security and patrol operations. Their reassignment is consistent with prior U.S. policy to enhance the capabilities of allied nations through the redistribution of equipment no longer required by U.S. forces. The transfer is taking place under the Excess Defense Articles (EDA) program, which allows the U.S. government to provide military equipment declared excess to the requirements of the Department of Defense or the U.S. Coast Guard to eligible foreign recipients. Such transfers support bilateral defense cooperation agreements and assist partner countries in augmenting their existing capabilities without requiring new procurement.

Under EDA provisions, equipment is delivered on an “as is, where is” basis, meaning that the items are provided in their current condition and location, without any guarantee of performance, future maintenance, or upgrades by the United States. The recipient is responsible for all expenses related to inspection, packaging, handling, transportation, and any required refurbishment unless these services are covered separately under another agreement or program. This approach avoids additional costs for the U.S. while allowing partner nations to integrate U.S.-origin equipment that is already compatible with their force structure or support systems.