patrol BoatS Kvichak Marine Industries is currently building a third Rb-M C patrol vessel for the NYPd’s Harbor Unit
Photo by John Fleck
delivered to date, that is really saying something.” In 2006 Seattle-based Kvichak Marine Industries, and Marinette Marine Corporation, Marinette, WI, a Fincantieri company, were awarded the team contract to build the Coast Guard’s new 45 ft Response Boat Medium (RBM) series. The series will go on to replace the 41 ft utility boats and assorted nonstandard boats used by the agency. Six years later, 102 RB-M’s have been built in total between Kvichak and MMC with Kvichak delivering the 100th vessel in the series just last month. Currently there are 166 RB-Ms under contract with two vessels delivered per month. For the small Northwest boat builder, the program is the largest it has taken part of. “We have long been experts in high-speed aluminum boat design and construction, but years ago, when we decided to pursue this program, our experience with U.S. Government major acquisitions was not very deep,” says Thomas. “Partnering with Marinette Marine, a company with a long history of USCG major programs, combined the best of both companies and yielded a tremendous result: the finest 45-foot patrol
boat in the world.” The self-righting patrol boat’s primary mission is to perform homeland security and search and rescue missions. Its increased maneuverability, together with its twin Detroit Diesel 60 series diesel engines and Rolls-Royce Kamewa FF375S waterjets enable the RB-M to travel at speeds in excess of 40 knots. The success of the RB-M program has
further generated business for Kvichak on the commercial side. The yard is currently building the commercial version of the vessel for law enforcement departments around the country and world. The RB-M C differs from the RB-M in that it offers customers options for cabin configuration and can be customized for the customer’s mission requirements. This past April, Kvichak delivered Patrol 9, a 45 ft RB-M C to the Seattle Police Department Harbor Patrol Unit (SPD). The vessel was also the 500th hull built at Kvichak’s Ballard facility. Patrol 9 is based out of the Harbor Patrol’s facility on Lake Union and will be used primarily for marine law enforcement, maritime security, rescue and assistance. Meanwhile, the New York City Police Harbor Unit is prepping to take delivery of a third RB-M C from Kvichak later this month. Earlier this year the yard delivered the second RB-M C to the NYPD’s Harbor Unit. The first RB-M C, the P.O. Edward Bryne, has been performing maritime security, law enforcement and search and rescue duties since April 2010. Additionally, Kvichak is in the process of building an RB-M C for the Middle East. The vessel will be delivered later this year. TAKING A bITE OUT OF THE Rb-S SERIES Metal Shark Aluminum Boats, Jeanerette, LA, a subsidiary of Gravois Aluminum Boats, LLC., was the winner of a major contract last November when the U.S. Coast Guard awarded the yard with a $192 million contract to build up to 470 Response Boat-Small (RB-S) II vessels. The contract has an eightyear duration. Based on Metal Shark’s Defiant platform the RB-S II has a
28 MARINE LOG OCTOBER 2012
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