Uruguayan navy to receive three ex-US Coast Guard patrol boats

A government-to-government agreement was recently finalised between the United States and Uruguay, allowing Uruguay to accept three ex-US Coast Guard vessels slated for operation by its navy.

The three vessels are all ex-coast guard Marine Protector-class patrol boats that were commissioned between 1999 and 2009.

Uruguay will receive the vessels themselves as a no-cost grant. However, in accordance with US law, Uruguay will be responsible for paying US$4.9 million for the vessels’ refurbishment and for training for Uruguayan crews.

The boats each have a length of 87 feet (27 metres), a range of 900 nautical miles, a top speed of 25 knots, and a stern launch and recovery system for use with a rigid inflatable boat.