In 2004, as part of a program called Deepwater, the Coast Guard wanted to extend the life of the 110 foot Island-class cutters, stationed in Key West, Florida.

[2] They were scheduled to go through a refit, which included adding 13 feet to the stern to make a high-speed launching ramp for a smaller patrol boat.

[3] This renovation was to also replace the original superstructure to accommodate mixed-gender crews while also adding new electronics, berthing reconfigurations, galley upgrades, and communication equipment.

In September 2004, after all eight ships were introduced to the refurbishment plan and the first four had been delivered, sea trials were begun to determine how effective the 15-year life extension program was.

The shipyard wasted no time trying to repair and strengthen the hulls, but the converted cutters continued to crack at high speed in rough seas.

[citation needed] The propeller shaft design was flawed also, growing steadily misaligned with the engines once the cracking of the hulls began.

[citation needed] In January 2008, the United States Coast Guard made an unusual move of demanding a partial refund of $96.1 million, but the request was withdrawn later in the year due to possible criminal charges that could be faced, enforced by the Department of Justice.

[5] The Coast Guard paid hundreds of millions of dollars towards Bollinger for this refit, and has tried to file for reimbursement 65 times once the Matagorda had displayed the six inch crack in its hull.

On November 30, 2006, Admiral Thad Allen, Coast Guard Commandant, personally gave a direct order to immediately decommission all eight converted ships.

The fact that six 110-foot cutters are absent due to supporting the Global War on Terror is further complicating the ability of the Coast Guard to have adequate underway patrol coverage domestically.