Rhibs News

Facing rising costs, an Icelandic tour operator is using technology powered by artificial intelligence (AI) to enhance safety and slash insurance premiums for its fleet of high-speed rigid inflatable boats (RIB).Reykjavík-based Whale Safari runs tourist RIBs for whale and bird watching excursions in Iceland. From an insurer’s standpoint, the endeavor—which sees vessels that seat up to 12 passengers achieving high speeds and g-force wave impacts—is inherently risky. To make matters worse for companies like Whale Safari…

Aluminum boatbuilder Silver Ships announced it has secured its largest shipbuilding contract order to date.The Theodore, Ala. builder said it was awarded a $6.1 million dollar firm-fixed-price General Services Administration (GSA) contract for the construction and delivery of up to 246 High-Speed Maneuvering Surface Target (HSMST) custom vessels. The deal includes options that, if exercised, would bring the cumulative value of the contract to $48.25 million dollars.Delivery of the first target boats is scheduled for March 2024.This contract entails the construction of Silver Ships’ AM800 RHIB.

Ocean Craft Marine (OCM) based in Annapolis, Md., has delivered a new police boat to the St. James Parish, La. Sheriff’s Office Special Response Team (SRT).The St. James Parish Sherriff’s Office is adding the Ocean Craft Marine 8M Law Enforcement (LE) Interceptor rigid hull inflatable boat (RHIB) to its assortment of patrol craft in order to augment their riverine capabilities with the latest in high-performance hull designs. The Sheriff Office will utilize the new vessel to increase the effectiveness and timeliness of its response to domestic incidents…

The state of Texas is putting into service a fleet of new, highly capable patrol boats as it works to detect, disrupt and deter criminal activity along the Rio Grande."Now, more than ever, it is imperative that our law enforcement officers and Texas National Guard soldiers adopt innovative solutions," Texas Governor Greg Abbott said during a recent visit tour the state’s enhanced assets along the U.S.-Mexico border. According to Abbott’s official website, the Governor has secured $4 billion in funding for Texas' border security efforts.

RIBCRAFT USA, a manufacturer of rigid inflatable boats (RIBs) for law enforcement, safety professionals and military agencies, announced that it recently entered the production phase on its five-year IDIQ contract with the U.S. Navy to build the standard 7- Meter RIB.Under the multi-year contract, RIBCRAFT will build up to 278 of the 7-Meter rigid inflatable boats worth approximately $80 million. This is purported to be the largest single contract based on number of boats ever awarded by the U.S.

The Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management (RIDEM) recently took delivery of two 19’ RIBCRAFT 5.85s. As the first true rigid inflatable boats (RIB) in their fleet, these versatile vessels will serve as rapid response deployable vessels throughout the state.With larger hard-sided patrol vessels already in use, the department was in need of a multipurpose watercraft that was easily handled and operated by a single officer that could still support a variety of operations regardless of the conditions.

Timothy Hunt has been named president and Bryant Bernhard, PE, chief technology officer of boatbuilder United States Marine, Inc. (USMI).Hunt has more than 24 years of experience in the marine industry and 12 years with USMI. “Tim has my support, and that of the USMI employees, as he assumes this important role of leadership at USMI,” said John Dane, III, USMI chairman and CEO.To facilitate Hunt’s appointment, Bernhard will assume the new position of innovations efforts as the CTO. This change will ensure continued innovation at USMI, the company said.

PALFINGER announced it has been awarded a contract by the Dutch rescue organization Koninklijke Nederlandse Redding Maatschappij (KNRM) for 12 custom-built rigid-hulled inflatable boats (RHIBs), which will assist the organization during future rescue operations. The official contract signing took place on January 20 at PALFINGER's production facility in Harderwijk, the Netherlands, where the boats will be manufactured.The KNRM helps people in distress at sea, 24 hours a day, with around 1,400 volunteers on duty more than 2,000 times a year.

A new patrol boat just launched by Ribcraft in Dubai is powered by a unique hybrid electric system supplied by Transfluid and Elcome International.The two companies collaborated to design and install the cost-effective diesel-electric system for the nine-meter Ribcraft professional-grade rigid-hull inflatable boat. A Middle Eastern customer required a patrol RHIB intended for the surveillance of the environmentally protected areas with zero environmental footprint, while at the…

Aluminum workboat builder Silver Ships, Inc. said it was awarded an $8.2 million delivery order as a result of being awarded a firm-fixed-price indefinite delivery, indefinite quantity (IDIQ) single award contract by the Naval Sea Systems Command for the construction and delivery of up to 110 Naval Special Warfare (NSW) Surface Support Craft (SSC) and U.S. Coast Guard Special Purpose Craft, Law Enforcement (SPC-LE) vessels, in addition to other accessories, parts and training.

Armstrong Marine USA Inc. launched the 11.3- by 4.2-meter Naiad rigid hull inflatable boat (RHIB) Bay Voyager II in late July. Builder sea trials in Port Angeles, Wash. indicate a cruise speed of 25 knots.The vessel was originally built for San Francisco-based tour company Bay Voyager, but is now for sale from Armstrong Marine.The USCG Subchapter T vessel has capacity 28 passenger plus two crew. It features Naiad’s heavy-duty fendering system and a full width aft canopy. The semi-open cabin provides passengers with unobstructed views throughout the vessel.

Theodore, Ala. boat builder Silver Ships said it has recently delivered an Ambar 1100 oceangoing rigid hull inflatable boat (RHIB) for the Eglin Air Force Base in western Florida.Built to assist in ocean rescue and firefighting missions, the 36-foot-long vessel includes an enhanced center console model that features Silver Ships’ specially designed console with a front windscreen and additional bolster seating. Twin Mercury Verado 300-horsepower outboard motors enable the vessel…