posted 12-28-2012 12:11 AM ET (US)        

The new RB-S II boats will have dimensions of

Length = 28-foot 6-inch
Beam = 8-foot 6-inch
Draft = 1-foot 6-inch
Displacement = 8,300-lbs

The boats are powered by twin HONDA four-cycle outboard engines, and are reported to have a top speed of 45-nautical miles per hour. The initial contract award works out to a price per boat of about $342,000. As of October 2012, 22 boats have been delivered.

The new RB-S II class of boat could grow to perhaps a total of 500 boats, as this new boat replaces the present Defender-Class RESPONSE BOAT, SMALL, as those older boats reach end of life and are retired.

Metal Shark Boats refers to this model as the DEFIANT 28. They presently have their demonstrator boat available for sale, if anyone is interested.

The use of the Honda four-cycle outboard engine is quite interesting. This engine was also used on the present RB-S Defender Class boats, and apparently has earned its place on the new acquisitions. Reports of incredible reliability and longevity of the Honda outboard engines are frequently heard in dock talk about these USCG boats.

The previous RB-S class boats were made by S.A.F.E. Boats.

posted 12-28-2012 12:30 AM ET (US)            

I am not sure if the power is the 225-HP Honda or the new Honda BF-250. The hull is rated for 600-HP. To reach the 45-knot speed, a pair of 250-HP engines sounds more likely.

More pictures at

posted 12-28-2012 10:54 AM ET (US)            

Good looking boat, though. Is anyone else surprised these tough aluminum hulls have such a short service life?

posted 12-28-2012 10:56 AM ET (US)            

So much for the gubermunt even pretending to support US businesses.

posted 12-28-2012 11:37 AM ET (US)            

I'm assuming it is a given that this rig will have all the latest and greatest technology, but... that much?

I need a government contract to build something- anything.

posted 12-28-2012 11:47 AM ET (US)            

Re the floatation--I have not seen any mention of it, but I assume these boats are built with aluminum chambers which provide reserve buoyancy.

Re the lifespan of the existing Defender class RB-S class: yes, it seems strange that some of the 500 or so boats built for that class are already coming up for replacement. Perhaps those nice S.A.F.E. boats will start showing up in surplus property disposal auctions. Or, perhaps they will be given to other government agencies.

posted 12-28-2012 12:11 PM ET (US)            

https://www.fbo.gov/utils/view?id=ccd08d149989cbb68b0299dc3ddcf7a2

You can find more documents for the acquisition process at

https://www.fbo.gov/index?tab=documents&tabmode=form&subtab=core& tabid=c58b755ae27b5ae6766ef6c1288beff8

https://www.fbo.gov/index?s=opportunity&mode=form& id=8dc7397f403d67f0718f119cc8b3a392&tab=core&_cview=1

posted 12-28-2012 02:15 PM ET (US)            

quote:

---

070-5.3
The propulsion system shall have an average mean time between failures (MTBF) of 1,000 hours before requiring major repair/overhaul and 4,000 hours before requiring replacement based on the projected maximum of 1,000 hours of annual use. Major repair/overhaul is defined as “depot level” repairs/overhauls that cannot be performed at the organizational (Station or Sector) level and are typically performed at an OEM authorized repair/overhaul facility. Lower units/gear cases shall have a MTBF of at least 900 hours. The Coast Guard will use Asset Logistics Management Information System (ALMIS) to track this reliability data to ensure contract compliance.

---

posted 12-28-2012 06:39 PM ET (US)            

I highly doubt a operationally ready 29 RBS is going to hit 45 knots with twin 225 Hondas.

posted 12-29-2012 11:35 AM ET (US)            

That's pure conjecture.

posted 12-29-2012 11:55 AM ET (US)            

quote:

---

The propulsion system shall have an average mean time between failures (MTBF) of 1,000 hours before requiring major repair/overhaul and 4,000 hours before requiring replacement based on the projected maximum of 1,000 hours of annual use. Major repair/overhaul is defined as “depot level” repairs/overhauls that cannot be performed at the organizational (Station or Sector) level and are typically performed at an OEM authorized repair/overhaul facility. Lower units/gear cases shall have a MTBF of at least 900 hours.

---

posted 12-29-2012 12:00 PM ET (US)            

http://corporate.honda.com/images/banners/america/ honda-contribution-2009.pdf

posted 12-29-2012 12:00 PM ET (US)            

Are you proposing that there should be a special set-aside for Mercury? I don't understand the basis for that sort of notion. Why would Mercury qualify for a special set-aside in the contract award? And if Mercury, then why not Evinrude?

As for the number of employees of Honda in the USA., they operate many large assembly plants here for automotive production. It would not take too much investigation to come up with some numbers. But I don't feel compelled to research it. Just on a rough estimate it looks like Honda wins to me. Each plant employees many thousands of workers on two or three shifts.

posted 12-29-2012 05:09 PM ET (US)            

I imagine BQUICK's remark, a snide crack at Mercury if you read it completely, is expressing his desire that the US Government support US owned and headquartered companies. I feel as he does, generally. Supporting products made as locally as possible is a good idea, quality presumed equal. That latter part is the kicker, I suppose.

WalMart employs more people than Filson, but that certainly doesn't make WalMart a better company, producer or corporate citizen than Filson.

posted 12-29-2012 06:08 PM ET (US)            

Where are Honda outboard motors produced?

I'm not certain how the RFP is written or how the specifications describe the "propulsion", other than Jim's excerpt included. It certainly would be easy enough to include performance specifications with production/ownership or other qualitative goals that could be met or ignored, at the bidder's discretion.

Back to the Metalshark boat replacing the venerable SAFE boat version of the USCG's fleet, it is not nearly as aesthetically pleasing a vessel as the original. The forefoot looks remarkable flat and shallow, more like a flats boat/bass boat than a wave piercing proud bow. The new version also lacks the distinctive and rather salty reverse cant on the pilot house windscreen, replaced by a non-descript moderately clunky cabin and parallelagram sidelights.

posted 12-30-2012 12:01 PM ET (US)            

Visibility (Lines of Sight): The crew space shall allow for maximum lines of sight for the crew in both seated and standing positions, including lines of sight when coming alongside larger vessels and structures, as well as lines of sight when in turns. All around visibility outside the boat from the conning station with not greater dead visibility sector of two (2) degrees in any one direction and not more than fifteen (15) degrees total loss of visibility in 360 degrees. The crew space shall not be subject to glare from external light sources up to fifteen (15) degrees above the horizontal plane.

Other reasons for the drop down windows may include:

- Ventilation, section 070-3.4.9:

Ventilation: Life-cycle cost considerations preclude the RB-S from having installed air conditioning. With this in mind, the crew space and installed ventilation system (see Section 512) shall maximize ventilation and natural cooling for the crew.

- Emergency Egress, section 070-3.4.12:

Emergency Egress: During the life of RB-S fleet, there is a high likelihood that one or more boats will capsize due to unexpected environmental conditions, interaction with other vessels, hostile intent of others, or human error. The RB-S shall have egress means for all crew in the crew space to quickly and safely exit the crew space. In addition, air pockets that are available in the inverted position are highly desired to allow the crew extra time in performing egress.

- Weapons Operation, section 070-3.4.13:

posted 12-31-2012 12:59 AM ET (US)            

I have not spent 1-minute underway in the existing 25-foot Defender class boat, so I cannot offer any prediction on how its ride will compare to the new boat. One would need to have a lot of experience in both boats and in many sea conditions in order to be able to offer a reasonable assessment of the comparative ride characteristics.

posted 01-01-2013 08:19 AM ET (US)            

--two trailers
--spare parts
--tons of documentation
--training
--covers
--sophisticated military grade radios and electronics
--shipping to anywhere

posted 01-01-2013 08:23 AM ET (US)            

If you don't mind I will join you at being ill. And I would also like to be excused from giving the politicians money to [throw] away at an alarming rate.--Norm

posted 01-01-2013 09:40 PM ET (US)            

Of course they do. The USCG is a militarized police force, part of the Department of Homeland Security. They are police with a secondary SAR mission. Don't confuse them with the "Old" USCG that was a SAR provider with a very secondary law enforcement mission and which was part of the Department of Transportation.

Their value as police is enhanced by their unique legal standing to conduct warrantless searches that would be illegal if done by any other law enforcement group in the USA as a violation of the Fourth Amendment, but which are done under the guise of "vessel safety checks". I'm waiting expectantly for someone to bring this to court as a violation of our constitutional rights.

These guys are not around to help you, unless it's to help you into the pair of the handcuffs that they all carry (along with a pistol, baton, and pepper spray).

Dave

posted 01-02-2013 09:50 AM ET (US)            

rich

posted 01-02-2013 10:17 AM ET (US)            

I believe that when my boat was on its trailer and I was on the highway, I could not be arbitrarily stopped and inspected by a police agency, but once the boat was in the water, I was fair game.

I don't know how the Coast Guard works today, but I suspect that if you are an entry level officer or bosun mate and given an assignment to go on patrol in one of these new 28-foot boats, when you return to the base after four hours (or more) underway, you better have some paperwork filled out that shows you stopped some boaters and made some inspections.

posted 01-02-2013 01:05 PM ET (US)            

If you read the design specifications you will also find that there are requirements for the crew to be able to have a specified range or arc of fire for their weapons from the boat outward. Maybe we need to change the name of this class of boat from [RESPONSE] BOAT, SMALL to GUNBOAT, RIVERINE or LITTORAL.

posted 01-02-2013 01:09 PM ET (US)            

"HATS OFF TO THE COASTIES

I run a 21-ft Boston Whaler out of Bodega Bay, and I have Commercial Assistance Towing as well as Auxiliary Sail Vessel endorsements on my USCG/Merchant Marine Master’s ticket. Over the past couple of decades, I’ve towed at least six or seven disabled boats back to the harbor up there, and stood by to assist several others. (We don't have a SeaTow equivalent running out of our little harbor 60 miles north of San Francisco, so we help each other the best we can.)

I’d never been on the other end of a tow line until November 14. In almost dead calm conditions that morning, I was motorsailing my newly-acquired Niagara 31 sloop against a strong ebb halfway between Alcatraz and the Golden Gate Bridge. Suddenly my boat's 13-hp Volvo diesel blew a head gasket, so there went our power. We were right in the center of the ship channel at the time, and I could see a container vessel approaching the Gate. I won’t share the language I used before I calmed down somewhat and realized that, for the first time in my life on the water, I needed help.

The Coasties instantly responded to my call on 16, switched me to 22A, and told me that help was on the way. Within about five nervous minutes, one of their 45-footers was on the scene. Her three-person crew competently walked me and my three-person crew through proper procedures to receive their tow. We swiftly lowered sails, and I managed not to miss the rescue boat’s accurately-thrown heaving line. It was not difficult to make their tow line fast to my boat's bow cleats, although I'm embarrassed to admit that I had to be reminded by the Coastie skipper not to make both ends of their tow bridle fast to the same starboard cleat.

I moved aft after being politely admonished by the Coast Guard skipper to clear my boat’s foredeck while under tow. Our run at hull speed out of the main shipping channel and back up to Gas House Cove was uneventful. But I was relieved to see the large container vessel that had come in the Gate pass a couple of hundred yards off our port beam.

In my excitement, I failed to get the names of the Coasties who helped us out. I wish I could thank them personally and by name for their skill, seamanship, and especially for their courtesy and understanding. I’d take my hat off to all of them, but the sun’s reflection off my aging, balding dome would necessitate their swiftly grabbing for sunglasses, and they’ve already done enough on our behalf, that's for sure.

Tony Wilde
Syrinx, Niagara 31
Gas House Cove, San Francisco

Tony — Yours isn't the first boat/sailboard/dinghy/kitesailor to have been dead in the water in the shipping channel, so you can be sure that the pilots and crew on ships keep a sharp eye out for situations such as that. Nonetheless, there have been accidents. More than 30 years ago, our friend Lou Albano and a crewmember on his 30-ft Hurricane were run down and killed by an outbound ship after the engine on their boat failed and there was no wind for them to sail out of the way."
________________________________

The Coasties are okay with me!!

posted 01-02-2013 01:36 PM ET (US)            

I read in a local boating paper that the panga was chased for hours until it's engine died just outside of Mexico waters.

posted 01-02-2013 01:53 PM ET (US)            

In Tony's case it was threat of loss of life. He was unable to maneuver his boat away from the container ship.

I would also guess they would come out to your boat if they suspected you of terrorism.

BTW, Tow companies started up when someone found a loophole in federal law that stated that the Federal Government is not allowed to interfere with private business. So someone started a tow company, and then the GC couldn't tow vessels unless they were in the dangers listed above.

They deserve all the best equipment they can get. They deserve it, becuase they spent so many years as the ragtag branch of the service, now under Homeland Security the funding seems to be unlimited.

posted 01-02-2013 02:08 PM ET (US)            

In southern CA, there has been a marked increase in attempted human smuggling, via the Pacific Ocean. Law enforcement are now posted up on the hills overlooking La Jolla, Scripps, Oceanside, etc. complete with night vision and something that I think is called Heat Seeking Thermal imaging.

posted 01-02-2013 02:56 PM ET (US)            

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Marine_Protector_class_coastal_patrol_boat

A boat like the HALIBUT carries a rigid-hull inflatable boat (RIB). The RIB is an open cockpit boat and does not appear to have a cabin with ballistic protection. One is pictured here:

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/5/5d/ USCGC_Cochito_launching_small_boat.jpg/ 1280px-USCGC_Cochito_launching_small_boat.jpg

In a high speed pursuit in open water, it could be very risky to come into a high speed collision with another boat. I don't know what the operational orders or normal procedures and methods of the United States Coast Guard say about launching an RIB from a Marine Protector class coastal patrol boat to pursue another vessel in the open ocean. It does look risky to me.

posted 01-03-2013 02:01 PM ET (US)            

Precisely. This does not prevent them from conducting "vessel safety checks" while carrying (pistol, handcuffs, pepper spray, baton, radio, knife, etc) though.

One day one of these buffoons will step off the dock with all that crap on (in addition to the laced up high boots that cannot be kicked off in the water) and will drown in 6 feet of water, since they do not wear PFD's while walking on the dock.

Now, to frame this: I literally grew up in the USCG.

Great Great Grandfather was on the Methodist Lifeboat "New Jersey" saving sailors off the coast before there was a federal life saving service.

Great Grandfather lost his life in a breeches buoy rescue on the NJ coast in 1906 as a member of a surfboat crew.

Grand-Dad was a Coast Guardsman between WW-I and thru the end of WW-II.

Dad was a 39 year veteran USCG Mustang officer, E-1 to O-6, serving in the Pacific in WW-II, Korea, and Viet Nam.

Me? I now get stopped by what seems to be kids fresh off the farm or out of the inner city, with a policemans regalia in full array, for "vessel safety checks", all while wearing combat boots and coming from a militarized combat boat sporting a belt-fed machine gun.

In MICHIGAN.

Uhh...... color me not-polite to these affronts to my dignity. And you do not need a combat capable waste of money to do so. <sigh>

Dave

.

posted 01-03-2013 03:46 PM ET (US)            

The active duty and retired members of the USCG I know personally (including a few Whaler owners who participate here on ContinuousWave) are universally knowledgeable, capable and courteous folk.

posted 01-03-2013 07:54 PM ET (US)            

USCG pilots (who I work with professionally) are people I respect. They are the best in the business. In fact the entire USCG aviation world is pretty hard core, and I respect them sincerely.

USCG rescue swimmers are the best in the business. And I mean that they are the BEST. This observation is partly from personal experience, having had one jump into the water next to a boat I was crewing on, where we had a diver under CPR who needed a basket lift. Don't think I live in a cave.

USCG Cuttermen who go thru the surfboat school in Astoria are the best. They know their business and do it well.

But:

USCG cop wanna-bees, patrolling the harbors of Michigan with so much police crap on that they would drown if they fell off of the dock are buffoons. Or more properly their leadership is a bunch of buffoons who are sending kids out dressed like clowns and not sailors. Their leaders have caused them to act in a way that is confrontational, and which has caused many like me to no longer say "welcome aboard". I simply do not welcome boot-wearing, gun-toting, "I need to run your drivers license for possible warrants" cops aboard my boat with a smile. And certainly do not think they need nearly $400K assault boats to do this from.

No apologies, the "war on terror" is out of hand, over-funded, and seems targeted as us, not them.

Dave

.