Response Boat-Medium

Response Boat Medium

Why this program?

The 45-foot Response Boat-Medium (RB-M) Program 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 Coast Guard acquired 174 RB-Ms to replace the 41-foot utility boat class, which was in service from 1973 to 2014. The RB-M Program transitioned to sustainment in June 2015 and the Coast Guard completed an RB-M electric retrofit program in May 2017.

Characteristics

Length: 45 feet
Maximum Speed: 42.5 knots
Endurance: one day
Range: 250 nautical miles at 30 knots

Features

All-aluminum construction
Twin-diesel engines with waterjet propulsion, eliminating propellers beneath the boat to protect engines from debris and make it safer to retrieve someone from the water
Self-righting stability (intact)
Port, starboard and aft recovery platforms
Fore and aft weapons mounts

Acquisition Milestones
Oct. 2001	The Coast Guard Establishes The RB-M Program
Oct. 2002	The Coast Guard awards contracts to three vendors to produce a test boat of each design for phase 1
Oct. 2003	Phase 1 is completed with delivery of test boats to the Coast Guard
June 21, 2006	After evaluating the test boats, the service selected and awarded phase 2 of the contract to Marinette Marine Corp. of Marinette, Wisconsin, for construction of up to 250 RB-Ms
July 2007	Construction begins on first RB-M
March 31, 2008	The Coast Guard delivers first RB-M to Station Little Creek, Virginia
April 7, 2008	The service begins operational testing and evaluation, an 18-month period to verify that the boats meet operational effectiveness and suitability requirements
March 17, 2015	The Coast Guard accepted delivery of the 174th RB-M – the final RB-M produced – achieving full operational capability
June 2015	The Acquisition Directorate RB-M program transferred full responsibility for supporting the boats to the Coast Guard sustainment community
May 19, 2017	The Coast Guard completes an RB-M electrical retrofit program

RB-M Fact Sheet

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