CG Forums Lead Moderator Something Wicked This Way Comes
Posted
quote:
The first of the Coast Guard's new 45-foot medium response boats will go into service Monday at the Coast Guard station at Little Creek in Virginia Beach.
The Coast Guard will have a new tool at its disposal for search and rescue missions starting today when it unveils its first "Response Boat-Medium" in Virginia Beach.
The 45-foot boat will make its debut this afternoon at the Coast Guard Station at Little Creek.
But it may not be an entirely new sight to those who ply the waters of Hampton Roads.
After the craft underwent builders' trials in Tacoma, Wash., in February 2007, it was brought here in April for developmental testing and evaluation at Fort Monroe.
The Coast Guard describes the vessel as "multi-mission capable" and expects it to operate in coastal zones, including inshore and inland waterways, as well as open waters of the ocean out to about 50 nautical miles. It will most routinely operate in shallow waters, however.
It is intended to be able to respond rapidly to any Coast Guard mission on very short notice and will conduct patrols and training.
"The Response Boat-Medium will greatly improve Coast Guard readiness and responsiveness throughout the country," Adm. Thad W. Allen, the Coast Guard's commandant, has said previously.
"With this faster and more capable platform, we are putting the right tool for the job in the hands of our people," he said, "as they conduct a broad range of vital Coast Guard missions, including homeland security, search and rescue, and law enforcement."
The boat will replace the Coast Guard's 41-foot utility boat which has been the workhorse of Coast Guard coastal stations for more than 25 years.
The new boats feature twin diesel engines with water jet propulsion providing increased maneuverability. They are capable of speeds in excess of 40 knots (46 miles per hour).
It is capable of handling missions in 30-knot winds, but is designed to weather even more punishing conditions, with gusts to 50 knots. Additionally, it should be able to navigate in rough seas with waves up to 12 feet, the Coast Guard said.
It also has the ability to "self-right" itself, as long as still intact.
Depending on its mission, the boat can be outfitted with mounted machine guns and it includes stowed armament.
For the typical five-member crew, there is a full cabin for protection from the elements that is equipped with "a robust navigation system," heating and air conditioning, shock mitigating seats and a communication system allowing contact with other federal, state and local Homeland Security organizations.
On June 21, 2006, the Coast Guard awarded the RB-M contract to Marinette Marine Corp., based in Manitowoc, Wis., which has partnered with Kvichak Marine Industries of Seattle to build the boats. Construction began in July 2007 at KMI in Kent, Washington.
By the numbers:
• Length overall, 44 feet 10½ inches
• Beam overall, 14 feet 7¾ inches
• Draft, at full load, 3 feet 4 inches
• Displacement, 36,500 pounds
• Speed, 42.5 knots
• Range, 250 nautical miles at 30 knots
• Towing ability, 100 tons
• Twin diesel engines, twin water jet-drive
• Fore and aft machine gun mounts
• Port, starboard and aft recovery platforms
• Infrared camera
I had to laugh at the air conditioning for a small boat. Anyone know the plan behind the IR camera?
Here are some pictures and a link to the article, CG RB-M
Yep, the days of sunburned foreheads may be coming to an end. I had an opportunity to test out a first breed in 98, and the shock absorbing seats were a god send. I wanted to install one of those in my truck. I really had no complaints other than that version was a SAFE, and the collar kept shredding off.
Jet drives are the wave of the future, almost like V-pitch props were and Z drives for cutters probably.
If they have the Rolls Royce Thrust vectoring, it is a breeze. 2 modes, docking and transit. In docking you can crab sideways just by moving the throttle to the side you want to go. SICK.
Not sure how much you would see in anything over a foot with one of those. The one I was certified on at MSO Mobile wasnt too friendly to getting jared. I was thinking it might be more like the dash cams you see the police cruisers. I dismissed that logic under the premise that it would make way to much sense.
I beleive it's just FLIR. A quick Google of "Forward Looking Infared" will get you lots of info. By watching some of the video's its actually pretty cool. EM1
Originally posted by JerryG: How about looking for a person or body in the water? Similar to a FLIR on a helo.
Border Patrol had a FLIR on their 40' cat down in the Keys. With their system, they complained the light from the screen destroyed their eyesight adjustment to night patrols.
Hope it works better for you guys. Sweet looking boat you guys are getting!
Thats an awesome looking boat! I have delivered Hamilton Jets to customers and they handle very well. They are used on a lot of the Hinkley and Hood picnic boats as well as large ferry's and whale watch boats. Makes me wish I was a BM now! Peace and good luck with the boats. Dick
This message has been edited. Last edited by: asm3driscoll,
Yes, I always assume my Customs brethren are confident hetero's - not so sure about some of them FBI types I ran across when all that port security stuff was the rage back in the 80's.
I spent a good bit of time, Don, with yer crew on Dauphin Island ... I remember many of them, but can't remember that SAIC's name ... they gave us a boat, but that's another story.
