SAFE Boats International (SAFE) contracted to build the U.S. Coast Guard’s new Cutter Boat-Over the Horizon-IV (CB-OTH-IV)
The contract calls for up to 101 boats procured over seven years.
The CB-OTH-IV will act as a multi-mission, cutter-launched law enforcement vessel and the Coast Guard will begin taking delivery in early 2013.
At 26-feet in length, the CB-OTH-IV is capable of speeds in excess of 40 knots and is based off of the SAFE 250 Center Console. It seats 5 (five) crew members and features a 480hp inboard diesel engine with a water jet; encrypted communications equipment; a state-of-the-art navigation system with a custom radar arch; a forward-facing weapons mount as well as SAFE’s patented hull design; XDR Collar system and mountable ballistic protection.
The mission of the CB-OTH-IV is to operate as a sub-unit to a parent National Security Cutter where it will be launched from and recovered. It will provide law enforcement to ports, waterways and coastal security, conduct search and rescue missions, perform drug and alien migrant interdiction operations, provide port security escorts and serve as a high-speed transport for boarding teams.
The CB-OTH-IV was selected after an extensive, competitive process amongst three other finalists, which included testing conducted in Virginia and with the National Security Cutter in California.