Recently, Congressman Neal Dunn (FL-02) addressed Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem in a letter regarding the role of Eastern Shipbuilding Group in producing Offshore Patrol Cutters (OPCs) for the U.S. Coast Guard. Dunn urged Noem to reconsider any plans that might move, disrupt, or continue the pause on current projects, advocating for Eastern Shipbuilding Group to complete four ships as part of the Coast Guard’s OPC Stage 1 program.
“Eastern Shipbuilding Group has been delivering high-quality vessels for half a century and has invested significant resources to meet the Coast Guard’s rigorous requirements to deliver high-quality patrol cutters,” said Congressman Dunn. He emphasized the importance of Eastern’s skilled workforce to national security and Florida’s economy.
Dunn argued that continuing projects with Eastern aligns with the Administration’s goal to rebuild American maritime dominance and avoid delays and increased costs. Joey D’Isernia, CEO of Eastern Shipbuilding Group, expressed gratitude for the support from elected officials, noting the program’s impact on national security and domestic shipbuilding.
Last week, part of a contract with Eastern Shipbuilding Group was terminated by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security. This contract involved completing four OPCs for the United States Coast Guard. Dunn highlighted that shifting this contract could lead to higher taxpayer costs and delay vessel additions to the Coast Guard fleet.
Eastern Shipbuilding Group is domestically owned and operated. Allowing another foreign-owned entity to take over would contradict efforts to prioritize domestic production and support American jobs.
Congressman Dunn’s appeal is supported by Senators Rick Scott and Ashley Moody, along with Representatives Jimmy Patronis (FL-01) and Vern Buchanan (FL-16).
