The Rigid Inflatable Boat (RIB) has become an invaluable part of 21st century Coast Guard cutters. "Often the mission of the cutter is to get a RIB and its crew on scene for interdiction, rescue and other missions," said J.J. Marie, president and CEO of Zodiac of North America, headquartered in Stevensville, Md., a leading manufacturer of RIBs. RIBs have been used on cutters for many years, especially the large Legacy Class of vessels. Those RIBs were attached to the ships via davits and lowered in the water and recovered and stowed on deck. Fast-forward to February 2003, and the start of the Deepwater program, a $20 Billion, 25-year program to upgrade the Coast Guard's land, sea and air assets. The first part of the program was to renovate and upgrade the 49 Island class, 110-ft.
