Aug. 29, 2025 —
Notional vendor rendering of two Waterways Commerce Cutter variants: an Inland Construction Tender (left) and River Buoy Tender (right). The CB-ATON-S class will support operations of all three WCCs variants, including the Inland Buoy Tenders that will be acquired under a separate contract. Image courtesy of Birdon America, Inc.
The Coast Guard on Aug. 29 awarded a fixed price, indefinite-delivery, indefinite-quantity contract to North River Boats of Roseburg, Oregon to procure up to 66 cutter boats to support critical aids to navigation (ATON) and other missions that maintain the safety and security of America’s waterways. The total potential value of the contract, which was awarded as a total small business set aside, is approximately $11.8 million.
The boats, designated as cutter boat - aids to navigation - small or CB-ATON-S, will be deployed with the Coast Guard’s future waterways commerce cutters (WCCs). They will also be used by the Service’s shore-based aids to navigation teams (ANTs) to access buoys, lighthouses, maritime navigational aids and smaller waterways and shorelines out of reach for larger vessels. The capability provided by these boats will allow the Coast Guard to facilitate commerce vital to the economic security and strategic mobility of the nation’s Marine Transportation System, which supports more than $5.4 trillion in economic activity every year.
The aluminum monohull boats will be 21 feet in length with two outboard engines that can deliver speeds up to 25 knots. Designed specifically for ATON work, the boats will be able to hoist up to 3,000 pounds and feature 50 square feet of open deck space.
The CB-ATON-S will be the standard cutter boat used across all three WCC variants: river buoy tenders (WLRs), inland construction tenders (WLICs) and inland buoy tenders (WLIs).
For more information: Boat Acquisition Program and Waterways Commerce Cutter Program pages