July 6, 2016 —
Two Coast Guard Cutter Waesche crewmembers prepare to recover the 26-foot over the horizon-IV boat June 20, 2014, after conducting a personnel transfer of four crewmembers from the HMCS Calgary. The transfer was part of a crew exchange between ships for the transit out to the Hawaiian Islands for the 2014 Rim of the Pacific exercise. U.S Coast Guard photo by Petty Officer 3rd Class Manda M. Emery.
The Coast Guard placed delivery orders for 11 over the horizon IV cutter boats worth approximately $4.76 million with SAFE Boats International LLC of Bremerton, Washington, June 28.
Two of the boats will go to the sixth NSC, Munro, which is in production with delivery planned for December. Eight boats will go to medium endurance cutters, and one will go to an FRC currently being built.
The total number of OTH IVs ordered is now 66; the June 28 orders support boat production and delivery through mid-2017.
The OTH IV boats deploy from their cutters to deliver boarding teams to vessels of interest during search and rescue; law enforcement; ports, waterways and coastal security; and defense readiness missions. They are 26 feet long and have a top speed of 40 knots. Compared to the OTH III, they feature increased cargo space and seating, higher speeds, and compatibility with both stern and side-davit launch and recovery systems.
Forty OTH IVs have been delivered, including boats for the five NSCs and 17 FRCs in service.
For more information: Boat Acquisition Program page