The Coast Guard is actively acquiring three types of boats to complement its cutter fleet. The long range interceptor II (LRI II) is deployed on the national security cutters (NSCs), providing a semi-enclosed cabin for extended cutter boat missions to help cutter crews extend their interdiction range. The over the horizon IV (OTH IV) boats are deployed across the major cutter fleet ranging from fast response cutters (FRCs) to NSCs, providing a high-speed, highly maneuverable cutter boat with the ability to operate outside the visual range of the cutter while delivering boarding teams to vessels of interest. The cutter boat large (CB-L) is a high-speed, maneuverable boat primarily focused toward law enforcement support for the 225-foot seagoing buoy tender and the 210-foot medium endurance cutter fleet.
Why this program?
Cutter boats provide the critical final link in mission execution for the cutter fleet. Cutter boats allow the deployment or transfer of personnel and equipment when the transfers cannot be performed directly from the cutter. A typical service life for a cutter exceeds 25 years, while the service life for a cutter boat ranges from seven to 10 years, requiring replacement of the cutter boat once or twice during the expected service life of the cutter. Each time the cutter boat is replaced, the program works to take advantage of state-of-the-market advances and incorporate improvements into the new generation of boats. This typically results in more capable cutter boats that provide increased or enhanced mission-capability for the parent cutters.
For the three current cutter boat programs, marketplace advances support enhancements in the following areas in comparison to boats they replace:
The LRI II features increased passenger carrying capability, a semi-enclosed cabin, improved dynamic stability, higher speeds, ballistic protection systems, robust logistics support infrastructure, improved navigation systems and appropriate hull design for stern launch and recovery.
The OTH IV features increased top speed and passenger capacity, improved navigation systems, and an appropriate hull design for stern launch and recovery.
The CB-L features similar high-speed capability and crew accommodation as the OTH IV, with reduced complexity in the communication and navigation systems. Its design allows for full interoperability among four classes of cutters without the need for variants or modifications.
How are the boats being acquired?
The cutter boat program will acquire up to 11 35-foot LRI II boats for deployment on NSCs. The program will procure up to 114 26-foot OTH IVs, which the Coast Guard will deploy aboard the NSC and other major cutters including the legacy medium endurance cutter fleet and the FRC platforms. A new project to acquire the next generation OTH, the OTH V, has been initiated to meet future cutter boat needs, including the introduction of the offshore patrol cutter and the polar security cutter classes. Additionally, the program will procure a new fleet of up to 39 22-foot CB-Ls, which will replace the current boats onboard 210-foot medium endurance cutters, 225-foot seagoing buoy tenders, and Coast Guard Cutters Alex Haley and Mackinaw.
Long Range Interceptor II
The LRI II extends the NSC’s mission reach with over the horizon capability, providing high-speed pursuit, interdiction and rescue capabilities.
Characteristics
- Length: 35 feet
- Maximum Speed: 40 knots
- Range: 240 nautical miles
Over the Horizon IV
The OTH IV is the quick response boat for the NSC, FRC, medium endurance cutter and operational units.
Characteristics
- Length: 26 feet
- Maximum Speed: 40 knots
- Range: 200 nautical miles
Cutter Boat Large
The CB-L provides capability to multiple cutter classes as a high-speed cutter boat focused on law enforcement missions.
Characteristics
- Length: 22 feet
- Maximum Speed: 35 knots
- Range: 200 nautical miles
47-foot motor lifeboat service life extension program
The Coast Guard is working to extend the service life of the 47-foot motor lifeboat (MLB) – the service’s primary boat to conduct search and rescue missions in surf and heavy weather conditions.
A service life extension program (SLEP) addresses specific systems and major maintenance to extend the service life of the vessel beyond the original design service life. A SLEP is not designed to increase a vessel’s capability; it continues to provide the current capability for an extended service life by replacing obsolete, unsupportable or maintenance-intensive equipment, and by seeking standardization of configuration issues.
The Coast Guard on Aug. 5, 2019, awarded a firm fixed price indefinite delivery, indefinite quantity contract to Birdon America Inc. of Denver, Colorado, to perform work supporting the service’s 47-foot MLB SLEP. The initial award to complete the detail design and service life extension work on the first vessel is valued near $6.5 million. The total projected contract value is close to $190 million to complete the SLEP over the 10-year contract period. The work will be performed on between 107 and 117 MLBs.
The 47-foot MLB fleet was placed in service during the 1997-2002 timeframe with an expected service life of 25 years. With the planned service life ending in 2022-2027, the 47 MLB SLEP was initiated to extend the useful life of the MLB fleet by 20 years through 2047. The SLEP will reduce support costs and improve operational availability through renewal of the propulsion, electrical, steering, towing, navigation, and hull and structural systems, along with other minor work items.
Response boat-small II
The Coast Guard acquired 370 response boats-small II (RB-S II) at a total contract value of approximately $150 million, making it one of the largest boat buys of its type for the service.
The RB-S II is a more easily deployable vessel with higher speeds compared to the Defender class RB-S it replaced. The RB-S II has an increased emphasis on ergonomics and crew comfort when compared to the first generation RB-S. Designed to operate year-round in waters along coastal borders, the RB-S II has proven effective in executing Coast Guard missions including port and waterway security, search and rescue, drug and migrant interdiction, environmental and other law enforcement missions.
The acquisition program is transitioning to sustainment, with the service’s small boat product line assuming responsibility for sustainment including change management and maintenance.
For more information: RB-S II sustainment page
Response boat-medium
The Coast Guard acquired 174 RB-Ms to replace the 41-foot utility boat class, which was in service from 1973 to 2014.
The 45-foot response boat-medium (RB-M) revitalized the Coast Guard's shore-based boat fleet, delivering improved speed, maneuverability and ergonomics over the 41-foot utility boat and other nonstandard boats it replaced. The RB-M has proven effective in performing Coast Guard missions, including search and rescue; ports, waterways and coastal security; law enforcement; and drug and migrant interdiction.
The RB-M program transitioned to sustainment in June 2015 and the Coast Guard completed an RB-M electric power generation system retrofit program in May 2017.
For more information: RB-M sustainment page
2026
Jan. 09, 2026 - The coast Guard on Jan. 8, 2026, awarded four contracts to acquire response boat-small demonstration boats in support of future boat acquisitions
2025
Sept. 30, 2025 - Coast Guard awards contract for new heavy weather surf boats
Sept. 2, 2025 - Coast Guard moves toward production of next-generation long range interceptor boats
Aug. 29, 2025 - Coast Guard awards contract for next generation trailerable aids to navigation boats
Aug. 29, 2025 - Coast Guard awards contract for aids-to-navigation cutter boats
Aug. 6, 2025 - Coast Guard closes out deliveries of cutter boat class, begins production of next generation boats
2024
Dec. 11, 2024 - Coast Guard issues request for proposal for special purpose craft – heavy weather II
Feb. 12, 2024 - Coast Guard Boat Acquisition Program achieves significant milestone with delivery of final 22-foot cutter boat-large
2023
June 29, 2023 - First 47-foot motor lifeboats delivered following design modification to service life extension program
May 30, 2023 - Coast Guard awards contract for long range interceptor III cutter boats
April. 21, 2023 - First OTH V cutter boat delivered to Coast Guard for operational test and evaluation
2022
Oct. 6, 2022 - Coast Guard completes service life extension work on fifth 47-foot motor lifeboat
Sept. 1, 2022 - Coast Guard releases a request for proposal for long range interceptor III cutter boats
Aug. 5, 2022 - Coast Guard selects builder for next-generation over the horizon cutter boats
March 4, 2022 - First full rate production cutter boat large delivered to Coast Guard fleet
2021
Sept. 24, 2021 - Coast Guard inducts five motor lifeboats into Service Life Extension Program
June 3, 2021 - Coast Guard awards four contracts supporting OTH V cutter boat program
June 2, 2021 - Coast Guard accepts delivery of last LRI II cutter boat
April 12, 2021 - Coast Guard awards contract for up to 20 OTH IV boats and equipment
2020
Aug. 14, 2020 - Coast Guard releases request for proposal for next-generation cutter boats
Jan. 22, 2020 - Coast Guard engages industry on boat acquisitions
2019
Dec. 26, 2019 - Coast Guard orders two over the horizon cutter boats
Sept. 4, 2019 - Coast Guard accepts delivery of new cutter boats
Feb. 15, 2019 - Coast Guard orders 20 response boats
2018
Dec. 17, 2018 - Coast Guard presents information to industry at International WorkBoat Show
Dec. 7, 2018 - Coast Guard seeks information to support over the horizon cutter boats
Oct. 11, 2018 - Coast Guard orders seven over the horizon cutter boats
Oct. 3, 2018 - Coast Guard orders seven response boats
Sept. 6, 2018 - Coast Guard awards contract for cutter boats
April 23, 2018 - Coast Guard orders long range interceptor boat
Feb. 28, 2018 - Coast Guard orders six over the horizon cutter boats
Jan. 24, 2018 - Coast Guard releases request for proposal for new cutter boats
Jan. 18, 2018 - Coast Guard orders 20 response boats
2017
Sept. 29, 2017 - Coast Guard Cutter James aids in Maria response
Sept. 27, 2017 - Coast Guard Cutter Donald Horsley crew delivers supplies to Puerto Rico
Sept. 25, 2017 - Cutter Boats crucial to rescues, navigation in debris-strewn waters
Sept. 15, 2017 - National security cutter capabilities aid Hurricane Irma relief
June 5, 2017 - Acquisition update: Coast Guard orders 15 response boats
2016
Nov. 4, 2016 - Acquisition update: Coast Guard completes fiscal year 2016 response boat orders
Aug. 8, 2016 - Acquisition update: Coast Guard orders 39 response boats
July 13, 2016 - Coast Guard accepts 200th response boat-small II
July 6, 2016 - Acquisition update: Coast Guard orders 11 over the horizon cutter boats
June 1, 2016 - Acquisition update: Coast Guard orders nine cutter boats
Feb. 17, 2016 - Acquisition update: Coast Guard orders 14 response boats
2015
Sept. 15, 2015 - Acquisition update: Coast Guard orders 61 boats
Feb. 27, 2015 - Acquisition update: Long range interceptor boat delivered To Hamilton
2014
Nov. 25, 2014 - Acquisition update: Long range interceptor boat delivered to Waesche
Sept. 22, 2014 - Acquisition update: Coast Guard receives 100th small response boat
Sept. 19, 2014 - Acquisition update: Coast Guard orders 44 additional response boats
March 28, 2014 - Acquisition update: Coast Guard orders six over the horizon cutter boats
2013
Dec. 12, 2013 - U.S. Coast Guard orders four long range interceptor II cutter boats
Sept. 25, 2013 - Acquisition update: U.S. Coast Guard orders 15 response boats-small
July 3, 2013 - Acquisition update: Long range interceptor II approved for full-rate production
June 6, 2013 - Acquisition update: Coast Guard orders sixteen over the horizon cutter boats
May 29, 2013 - LRI II marks operational success in Pacific Area drugs bust