Navy News, news from Iraq - Navy Times

Quick Links

http://www.navytimes.com/news/2008/04/coastguard_new_boats_040708w/
news/2008/04/coastguard_new_boats_040708w

Coast Guard accepts first new response boat


By Philip Ewing - Staff writer
Posted : Tuesday Apr 8, 2008 15:57:00 EDT

The Coast Guard took delivery Monday of its first new 45-foot Response Boat-Medium at Coast Guard Station Little Creek Va., the service announced — the first of six new craft that are to become the workhorses of small boat stations throughout the U.S.

The Coast Guard’s chief of acquisitions, Rear Adm. Gary Blore, called the new RB-M “a quantum leap forward” from the 41-foot utility boats now in use. The all-aluminum RB-M is faster, more maneuverable and more comfortable than its predecessor, service officials say, and it can right itself even if rough seas flip it over (See video of an RB-M flip).

The 132 legacy utility boats, built at the Coast Guard shipyard in Baltimore between 1973 and 1982, are old and heavily used, acquisition spokeswoman Laura Williams said. Over the next decade, the Coast Guard will replace the older boats with the $2 million-per-copy RB-M until there is a full fleet of 180 RB-Ms.

The RB-M has twin diesel water-jet engines that give it a top speed of around 40 knots and a range of about 50 nautical miles. It also has a fully enclosed, climate-controlled cabin that includes four special shock-absorbing seats to help its crew endure sea pounding.

After the delivery of the first boat to Little Creek, five more boats will be circulated to stations around the country. They are:

* Station Cape Disappointment, Wash., in August.

* Station Key West, Fla., in September.

* Station Milwaukee in October.

* Station New York in November.

* Station Port Aransas, Texas, in January.

Shipbuilder Marinette Marine is to step up production of RB-Ms by August to a rate of one per month. The yard will reach full production by 2011, the Coast Guard said, delivering 30 boats per year.

DISCUSS: The new response boats



Coast Guard The Response Boat-Medium is an all-aluminum, 45-foot boat with twin diesel engines with water jet propulsion that is expected to be the primary non-heavy weather, multi-mission capable boat for the Coast Guard.

Contests and Promotions

CFC Info Center


Check out our in-depth guide to the Combined Federal Campaign.

Win A Timex Ironman® Triathlon Bodylink Trail Runner Watch


promo Enter and WIN...
The Timex Ironman Triathlon Bodylink Trail Runner is ideal for monitoring your heart rate and distance when running or to use as a GPS device.

Marketplace

Military Times Gear Shop


Converse  8 Sage Green Composite Safety Toe Boot Converse 8 Sage Green Composite Safety Toe Boot
Authentic Converse® athletic fit, comfort and performance with tactical design and non-metallic safety toe.

Price: $122.99

Military Discounts


Save on your purchases!
In honor of your military service, you can find regular and name brand products at a special discount.

Shoplocal

  Shop Local
Local Online Deals
Find the best deals at your local stores.