Miami, FL – U.S. Senator Marco Rubio (R-FL) applauded the U.S. Coast Guard’s announcement that it will modify the Offshore Patrol Cutter (OPC) contract with Panama City-based Eastern Shipbuilding. On October 10, 2018, Hurricane Michael wreaked havoc in Northwest Florida, and made history as one of only four category 5 hurricanes to make landfall on the U.S. mainland. The Coast Guard previously sought flexibility to modify the OPC contract, while not exceeding the original affordability requirement set forth by the government in the existing contract, as a result of skyrocketing labor costs due to Hurricane Michael. The Coast Guard maintains that acquisition of the OPC is its highest investment priority.
 
“Today’s announcement provides much-needed certainty for the Coast Guard and Northwest Florida’s communities,” Rubio said. “Hurricane Michael had a devastating impact on our local economy, including impeding the Coast Guard’s Offshore Patrol Cutter project and subsequently jeopardizing thousands of local jobs. I am grateful the administration took action to protect America’s national security and continue Florida’s recovery from one of the most destructive storms to ever make landfall.”
 
 Related: 

• July 31, 2019: Rubio Applauds Commerce Committee Passage of the Restore Coast Guard Capabilities Act to Build Offshore Patrol Cutters
• July 30, 2019: Rubio, Scott Introduce Bill to Provide Coast Guard with Needed Authority to Build Offshore Patrol Cutters
• July 23, 2019: Rubio Introduces Legislation to Reduce Maintenance Backlog for Critical Coast Guard Infrastructure
• June 13, 2019: Rubio, Scott file an amendment (S.AMDT.553) to the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2020 to consider the impacts of Hurricane Michael in Modification of the Offshore Patrol Cutter contract
• January 16, 2019: Rubio Joins Colleagues In Supporting Pay Our Coast Guard Act