USCG Takes Delivery of First Upgraded 47' Motor Lifeboat
The U.S. Coast Guard recently accepted the Birdon America's first upgraded 47-foot Motor Lifeboat (47 MLB) at the agency's National Motor Lifeboat School (NMLBS) in Ilwaco, Wash., completing the first major milestone in the MLB Service Life Extension Program (SLEP). The first article vessel will undergo a four-month operational assessment by members of NMLBS.The 47 MLB is the Coast Guard's standard lifeboat, designed to weather hurricane force winds and heavy seas, capable of surviving winds up to 60 knots, breaking surf up to 20 feet and impacts up to three Gs.
Safe Boats Wins Surf Boat Contract
SAFE Boats International won a contract from the USCG Office of Boat Forces in Washington, DC to build two self-righting 42-ft. Archangel Class vessels. Designated by the USCG and the Department of Homeland Security as the Special Purpose Craft – Near Shore Lifeboat (SPC-NLB), the NLB is 100 percent designed and manufactured in the US by SBI at the Port Orchard, Wash., factory. The USCG plans to operate the NLB in varying sea and weather conditions along the entire coast of the U.S. and use it as a fast response and utility boat. The hull design will allow the NLB to operate in shallow water areas and transit surf zones through breaking seas in excess of 15-ft.
Coast Guard Station to Hold Change of Command
Chief Warrant Officer Jerry J. Farmer will succeed Chief Warrant Officer Michael J. Tumulty as Commanding Officer of Coast Guard Station Neah Bay, Wash., during an official ceremony. Farmer will assume the responsibility of commanding officer of Coast Guard Station Neah Bay which overseas search and rescue and law enforcement in one of the most remote regions of Washington State. The Station maintains a 47-ft. motor lifeboat, 41-ft. utility boat and a 25-ft. response boat. Farmer spent five years at Quillayute River where he qualified as a heavy weather coxswain on the 44-foot motor lifeboat. After being advanced to Petty Officer 2nd Class, he reported to the National Motor Lifeboat School in Ilwaco, Wash. In August 1995 he was assigned to the maintenance division at the school.
