Submitted by Don R on Sat, 11/01/2008 - 19:42
"The Response Boat-Medium will greatly improve Coast Guard readiness and responsiveness throughout the country. With this faster and more capable platform, we are putting the right tool for the job in the hands of our people as they conduct a broad range of vital Coast Guard missions, including homeland security, search and rescue, and law enforcement ...” – Admiral Thad W. Allen, Commandant, U.S. Coast Guard
SBYD had the opportunity to tour the Kvichak RB-M plant in Kent, WA last May. This new boat is very exciting and should be a wonderful addition to the Coast Guard fleet. The RB-Ms are designed to replace the aging fleet of 41-foot UTBs and the various non-standard boats that replaced the 41-footers that were built from 1973 to 1980 and have served the Coast Guard for 25 years.
Characteristics of the RB-M are:
- Length - 44' 10 ½ “
- Speed - 42.5 Kts
- Beam - 14' 7-3/4" wDraft - 3' 4"
- Range - 250 NM 2 30 Kts
- Displacement - 36,500 lbs
- Survivability Limits - 12- foot seas; 50-knot winds
- Twin diesel engines rated at 1650HP with waterjet propulsion
- Pilothouse with shock-mitigating seats for 4 crew
- Survivors’ compartment for 5 wDeep Vee double-chine hull
- All-aluminum construction
- Port, starboard and aft recovery platforms
- Fore and aft weapons mounts
- Self-righting stability (intact)
Crew efficiency should be improved with related human engineering, such as providing secure seating for every crew member. An environmentallycontrolled cabin will allow the crew to conduct longer missions with less fatigue. Self-fending allow for better crew efficiency while boarding and towing. They will also include the new Rescue 21 advanced communications system.
On 21 June 2006 the Coast Guard awarded the RB-M contract to Marinette Marine Company, who partnered with Kvichak Marine in Kent, WA. The Coast Guard states that the RB-M will re-capitalize capabilities of the existing multi-mission 41’ Utility Boats (UTB) and multiple nonstandard boats to meet the needs of the Coast Guard. The first boat was delivered to Coast Guard Station, Little Creek, VA in April 2008. The second boat went to Cape Disappointment, WA in August, and the third boat was delivered to Key West, FL in September of this year. These are the first of the planned 180 RB-Ms scheduled for delivery over the next six years.
By Don Robertson
-From the November 2008 issue of The Ballast
