US Coast Guard Station Marblehead receives new RB-M boat

The US Coast Guard Station Marblehead, Ohio, has received a new 45ft-long response boat-medium from Marinette Marine.

Built in Marinette, Wisconsin, the boat has a maximum beam of 14.7ft and will replace the Coast Guard’s Motor Life Boat at a later date.

Designed to be faster than previous boats of similar size, the RB-M can cruise at a top speed in excess of 40k and provides advanced search capability.

The boat, which can accommodate a crew of 24, is fitted with an installed forward-looking infrared search technology and is powered by twin jet propulsion to respond in shallower water.

In addition to providing balance of performance and stability, the deep-V, double-chine hull boat can handle heavy seas and waves up to 12ft.

The vessel comprises two MTU DDEC Series 60 825 HP engines, two twin Disc MG-51 14-SC Marine Gears, two Rolls-Royce KaMeWa FF3753 waterjets, Victor-stick integrated control system and two weapon mounts Furuno NavNet.

Additionally, the RB-M vessel will complement the existing fleet of one 47ft-long motor life boat, two 33ft-long law enforcement special purpose craft, one 25ft-long response boat-small, one 20ft-long special purpose craft-airboat and one skiff-ice for the US Coast Guard Station Marblehead.

Image: A 45ft-long response boat-medium performing mission at sea. Photo: U.S. Coast Guard photo by Petty Officer 1st Class Phillip Null.