Feb. 27, 2015 —
Response boats-medium have been delivered to over 110 units across 30 states and territories for search and rescue; law enforcement; and ports, waterways and coastal security missions. RB-Ms can travel at speeds in excess of 40 knots, have a range of 250 nautical miles and feature twin-jet propulsion engines which improve maneuverability. U.S. Coast Guard photo.
The Coast Guard accepted delivery of the 174th response boat-medium – the final RB-M produced – at Station St. Petersburg, Florida, Feb. 26, 2015.
"The feedback we’ve received about the RB-M from the field has been overwhelmingly positive,” said Capt. Carola List, the RB-M program manager. “Delivering the capability needed to support Coast Guard mission execution is the Acquisition Directorate’s key objective, and delivering the final production RB-M represents a significant upgrade for our boat forces community and a great success for the Coast Guard’s acquisition enterprise.”
The 45-foot RB-M is a platform primarily used for search and rescue; law enforcement; and ports, waterways and coastal security missions close to shore. It is part of the Coast Guard’s efforts to upgrade and standardize its boat fleet and replaces the 1970s-era 41-foot utility boat, which has been retired from service. The RB-M can travel at speeds in excess of 40 knots and has a range of 250 nautical miles. Its twin-jet propulsion engines increase its maneuverability, allowing it to get closer to other vessels and to more safely retrieve people from the water.
Since the Coast Guard received its first RB-M in 2008, the boats have been delivered to over 110 units across 30 states and territories. The Coast Guard is now in the process of transitioning the program to sustainment, including preparing product lines to support the RB-Ms for the rest of their service lives.
Station St. Petersburg received one RB-M in 2010 and is looking forward to using its second.
"The RB-M’s navigation system is a huge help for us. The fact that it draws less than the 41-foot UTB allows us to go into waters we couldn’t before,” said Senior Chief Eamon McCormack, the officer in charge of Station St. Petersburg. “Its speed has been a huge help for us as well. We’re able to shave our transit time in half.”
For more information: Response Boat-Medium Program page