The US Coast Guard has awarded Louisiana-based Metal Shark Boats a $3 million contract for the delivery of seven response boats-small II (RB-S IIs).
The boats are targeted for delivery starting in spring 2019 and will be primarily stationed in the Seattle, Washington area.
The 29-foot RB-S IIs are replacing the 25-foot RB-S which is being phased out. The new boats can reach a top speed of over 40 knots and are used for a range of missions, including search and rescue, vessel boarding team deployment and law enforcement missions, port security, drug and migrant interdiction, and environmental response operations.
RB-S are powered by twin 225-horsepower (hp) Honda outboards and have a minimum range of 150 nautical miles. The boat is road transportable for service between missions, and may also be transported via C130 aboard a specialized trailer. RB-S is also weapons-ready, with multiple weapons racks and an integrated weapons-ready mounting system at the bow. The forward-mounted gunner’s platform provides 180-degree firing capability while a pass-through hatch leads to the cabin for easy access.
Signed on September 26, the latest contract brings the total of RB-S IIs ordered to 350; 318 RB-S IIs have been delivered.