Coast Guard Awards $50M Contract for Sitka Homeport Facilities
JUNEAU, Alaska – The U.S. Coast Guard is deepening its long-term commitment to Southeast Alaska with a major infrastructure upgrade. On Aug. 14, 2025, the Coast Guard’s Facilities Design and Construction Center awarded a $50.475 million contract to Whiting-Turner Contracting Company for the design and construction of new homeport facilities in Sitka.
The project will deliver state-of-the-art waterfront infrastructure to accommodate the fast response cutter (FRC) Douglas Denman (WPC-1149) and improve existing support for the 225-foot seagoing buoy tender Kukui (WLB-203). Together, the vessels form a critical backbone of Coast Guard operations across Alaska’s rugged waterways.
Enhancing Alaska’s Maritime Security
“This work represents a significant investment in mission support infrastructure supporting Coast Guard operations throughout Sector Southeast Alaska and the greater Arctic District,” the Coast Guard said in a statement. Officials noted that the modernized facilities will strengthen the service’s ability to respond to emerging challenges ranging from Arctic navigation and maritime law enforcement to environmental protection and search and rescue.
The Coast Guard emphasized that by expanding and modernizing Sitka’s waterfront capacity, the initiative “underscores the Coast Guard’s commitment to ensuring readiness and resilience in the region.”
Construction Timeline and Economic Impact
Construction is expected to begin in 2026 and conclude in 2028, providing three years of steady development work and local economic benefits. The project is anticipated to generate jobs in construction, engineering, and support services in Sitka while reinforcing the city’s role as a strategic hub for Coast Guard operations.
Whiting-Turner, which has a strong record of federal facility development across the country, will oversee both the design and build phases, ensuring the project delivers modern, durable, and sustainable infrastructure.
Capabilities of the Vessels
The Douglas Denman, one of the Coast Guard’s newest fast response cutters, brings advanced technologies to Alaska. The FRCs feature command, control, communications, intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance (C4ISR) systems, as well as over-the-horizon cutter boat deployment. These features significantly enhance the Coast Guard’s ability to control, secure, and defend U.S. maritime borders.
The Kukui plays a vital role in maritime safety as the primary vessel tasked with servicing aids-to-navigation (ATON) buoys across Southeast Alaska’s inland and coastal waters. Its responsibilities extend far beyond buoy tending, including law enforcement, ports and waterways security, marine environmental response, and search and rescue.
Strengthening Arctic and Regional Readiness
Southeast Alaska’s complex and often hazardous waters make reliable maritime infrastructure essential. The Sitka upgrades will not only improve daily operations but also ensure rapid deployment for regional emergencies and strengthen U.S. presence in the increasingly important Arctic maritime corridor.
By anchoring new capabilities in Sitka, the Coast Guard is sending a clear message: it is investing in both national security and community resilience.
Originally reported by United States Coast Guard News.