SAFE Boats International (SBI) has been awarded a contract to provide the United States Navy five (5) MK VI Patrol Boats (MK VI PB). The MK VI PB is the Navy’s next generation Patrol Boat and will become a part of the Navy Expeditionary Combat Command’s (NECC) fleet of combatant craft.
NECC will utilize the MK VI PB to provide operational commanders a capability to persistently patrol shallow littoral areas beyond sheltered harbors and bays, and into less sheltered open water out to the Departure Sea Area (DSA) for the purpose of force protection of friendly and coalition forces and critical infrastructure.
The 78foot MK VI PB is a variant of SBI’s versatile 780 Archangel class patrol boat and has a hull optimized for performance, fuel economy, and firepower. Systems are designed to reduce Total Ownership Cost (TOC), minimize manpower and improve reliability and maintainability. Powered by twin diesel engines and waterjets, the MK VI PB is capable of speeds in excess 30 knots at full load and can be armed with a variety of crew served and remotely operated weapons systems up to 25mm. She has a range in excess of 600 nautical miles and the ability to burn both marine grade diesel fuel and JP-5. Berthing accommodations, galley and head/shower facilities allow for extended missions.
The MK VI PB is configured with both a pilothouse and a main deck cabin. The pilothouse is configured with shock mitigating seating with integrated work stations for the crew. The work stations are integrated into the seats to bring controls and displays into suspension with the operators thus reducing fatigue and preventing injury. The main cabin is reconfigurable to allow for the accommodation of remotely operated vehicles, a temporary medical triage area and/or shock mitigating seating for a boarding team and off-duty crew.
“We are thankful to have the opportunity to manufacture and support a craft which will bring back the venerable and storied ’Patrol Boat’ class to the US Navy” said Scott Peterson, CEO, SAFE Boats International. “We are intimately aware of the history of the ’PB’ and are excited to be a part of the next chapter in the story of this versatile class of US Navy craft.”
SBI will be producing the MKVI in its new Large Craft Production Facility (LCPF) located in the Port of Tacoma, Washington. Originally developed to build ships for the US Navy during WWII, the size and configuration of the facility will allow for up to six (6) MKVI PB size craft to be under construction simultaneously. Located on the water, the LCPF provides SBI an ideal location to produce and support large craft.
SAFE Boats International offers a wide range of craft from 18- 80 feet configurable to a wide variety of pleasure, commercial, law enforcement and military requirements together with the training and service to support them. For more information about the Archangel and the entire SAFE Boats product line please visit: www.safeboats.com