Madam Chair, the Coast Guard continues to make progress on fleet renewal through the national shipbuilding strategy.
In 2019, the most significant investments in Coast Guard history were announced and included the construction of up to 24 new large vessels. All three offshore fishery science vessels have now been delivered, representing the first class of large vessels delivered through the national shipbuilding program. The Coast Guard is also renewing its small vessel fleet, with eight search and rescue lifeboats and two channel survey and sounding vessels delivered in recent years.
It is extremely important that the members of the Coast Guard have the tools they need to do their important job.