Tacoma, Wash. (March 3, 2008) ?The Response Boat-Medium (RB-M) is an all-aluminum, 45-foot boat with twin diesel engines and with water jet propulsion launched at Commencement Bay in Tacoma, Wash. This small boat, which recently completed a successful Builder's Trials on March 3, is expected to be the primary non-heavy weather, multi-mission capable boat for the U.S. Coast Guard. The RB-M will have increased maneuverability and be capable of speeds in excess of 40 knots (46 miles per hour). A full cabin will provide crew protection from the elements and will be equipped with a robust navigation system, heating and air conditioning, shock mitigating seats, and a communication system capable of communicating with other federal, state and local Homeland Security organizations. The RB-Ms missions will include Search and Rescue (SAR), Enforcement of Laws and Treaties (ELT), Ports, Waterways, and Coastal Security (PWCS), Defense Operations (DO), Marine Environmental Protection (MEP), and Recreational Boating Safety (RBS).
These boats will replace the 41-foot Utility Boats (UTB) which have been the workhorse of the coastal stations for the past 25+ years. U.S. Coast Guard photo by Lt. Mark Piber
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