Combat Rubber Raiding Craft News

Decades of innovation has earned Wing Inflatables its place among top manufacturers of sponsons, tubes, collars and rubber craft. While the company maintains this reputation today, the Wing Group has also grown beyond it after an ownership switch set in motion a number of major changes that have helped to both expand the company and alter its DNA.In past decades, under the leadership of founder and now-former owner Bill Wing, the California company and its polyurethane rafts and air-holding tubes, and later air/foam hybrid collar, had revolutionized the rigid inflatable industry.

Ribcraft announced that the United States Navy (USN) has awarded a five-year indefinite quantity contract worth up to $43 million to build and deliver an estimated 48 of the 11-Meter Expeditionary Mine Counter Measure Boat. Ribcraft has also been providing the U.S. Navy with 7-Meter shipboard RIBs since 2014.The 11-Meter RIBs will serve to support explosive ordinance disposal mine counter measure platoons in both shallow and deep water operations. To achieve this, Ribcraft will build two configurations for mine counter measure operations…

RIBCRAFT announced that the United States Navy has awarded a five-year indefinite quantity contract to the company to provide the 11-Meter RIBs.Under the contract, RIBCRAFT will build and deliver the 11-Meter Expeditionary Mine Counter Measure Boat. RIBCRAFT has also been providing the U.S. Navy with 7-Meter shipboard RIBs since 2014.A critical component of the Expeditionary Mine Countermeasures Company, the 11-Meter RIBs will serve to support explosive ordinance disposal mine counter measure platoons in both shallow and deep water operations.

A wave of cutting edge U.S. maritime innovations will be highlighted in Southampton, U.K. this October during three specialist one day events for the sub IMO / sub 24 meter professional sector. The unique NEXT GENERATION Workshops bring together an international group of experts armed with the latest knowledge to identify problems that affect the maritime sector worldwide – and highlight potential solutions. Workshop Lead John Haynes said, “We focus on viable innovation and using people’s time effectively.

Performance, Speed, Fuel Economy & Environmental compliance all come together to form the ultimate balancing act for engine OEM’s and their customers alike. The ‘need for speed’ has been at the heart of professional fast craft operations since powerboats first overtook their bow wave and went on the plane. However, it is a hard fact of life for many professional organizations that fuel budgets are being cut. Engine manufacturers now recognize that high performance must be balanced with fuel economy and environmental compliance.

San Marcos, Calif. based SD Model Makers delivered their eighth scale model ship to Tampa, Fla. based Riverhawk Fast Sea Frames. The 1/36 scale, 24.05-inch model is a replica of Riverhawk’s SeaStriker 22 very high speed fast patrol and interdiction craft. The model replicates the actual SeaStriker that will launch in Tampa in May and be on display at the Special Operations Forces International Convention (SOFIC) beginning May 22 in Tampa. Riverhawk’s SeaStriker model represents…

In the vessel construction market, small boat builder All American Marine of Bellingham, Wash., and RIB builder Wing Inflatables of Arcata, Calif. both reported a satisfactory 2010 in their niche markets, with good reasons to be optimistic about 2011. Bollinger Shipyards, a major builder in the offshore market also had a good 2010, but is bracing for the impact of the drilling moratorium going into 2011. Meanwhile, new yard, Argosy Boat Company, of Pierre Part, La., is still working to establish itself as a diesel-electric, Z-drive towboat builder.

BRP has been awarded a $10m contract from the United States Marine Corps (USMC) for its Evinrude multi-fuel engines (MFE). The Evinrude 55 MFE engines with an impeller equipped jet model pump will repower their fleet of F470 Zodiac boats / Combat Rubber Raiding Craft (CRRC) used during small craft operations. The strict procurement requirements of the USMC to secure non-gasoline burning outboard engines led directly to BRP. In accordance with the Department of Defense mandates, these engines must be able to operate using available battlefield fuels and to operate from naval shipping without the need for gasoline. According to the USMC…

Zodiac last month unveiled Armorflate (patent pending), a system it is touting as the world's first bullet-resistant system for Combat Rubber Raiding Craft (CRRC). The innovative product, undoubtedly created to fulfill the burgeoning need for combat and security craft in the wake of previous terrorist attacks, was unvelied at the 2002 Multi-Agency Craft Conference (MACC), held at Naval Amphibious Base, Little Creek, in Norfolk, Va. The inflatable Armorflate system made its debut on the Zodiac F470 CRRC inflatable boat, which has a long history of military and special forces operation. The Armorflate system is available with either soft or hard armor protection, made from a bulletproof material provided by Simula, Inc.

A Landing Craft Utility (LCU) 1661, assigned to Assault Craft Unit Two (ACU-2) approaches the port beam of the distressed motor vessel Al Manara as a MH-60S Seahawk helicopter pass overhead. Nassau supplied the ship with 10 days of food and water using LCUs and Combat Rubber Raiding Craft (CRRC) while the ship waited for a tugboat to pull it into port. Nassau is deployed as the flag ship for Expeditionary Strike Group Eight (ESG-8) supporting maritime security operations (MSO) in the 5th Fleet area of operations. MSO seek to preserve the free and secure use of the world's oceans by legitimate mariners and prevent terrorists from attempting to use the maritime environment as a venue for attack or as a medium to transport personnel, weapons or other material that could support their efforts.

The multipurpose amphibious assault ship USS Bonhomme Richard (LHD 6) was certified for well deck operations April 26, following two days of ship-to-shore maneuvers off the coast of Southern California. Bonhomme Richard launched and recovered a wide variety of landing craft, including amphibious assault vehicles (AAV), utility landing craft (LCU) and combat rubber raiding craft (CRRC). The ship also launched and recovered lightering amphibious recovery craft (LARC) for the first time in almost five years. A month earlier, BHR operated with air cushion landing craft (LCAC). “It takes a lot of training to launch and recover the various landing craft Bonhomme Richard supports,” said Senior Chief Boatswain’s Mate (SW) Mark Cass, deck department leading chief petty officer.

With the deepest V available, the Oceanus 8.50VST from AB Inflatables is a rugged craft providing a safe, comfortable ride for several hours.The extra-deep V hull and non-submerged tubes provide the boat with plenty of stability, while preventing unwanted friction and spray for smooth, dry operation in calm or choppy waters. The boat features upholstered seating, ample deck space to install ice coolers or additional seating, a smartly designed console with easy-to-reach controls and abundant storage lockers to keep fishing gear secure. In addition, the 8.50VST offers the flexibility to be customized to buyers' needs. Weighing 2,860 lbs., the Oceanus 8.50VST has an overall length of 28 ft. (8.5 m) and a 12-ft. (3.6 m) beam.

The 10.5 ft. Oceanus 3.20VSC from AB Inflatables is a sporty RIB with a deep V hull construction large, 17-in.-diameter tubes, and a rounded, European-style console and seat. In fact, the company has redesigned each boat in the Oceanus line to be even more attractive and distinctive. The tubes are now a softer gray color and have a sportier, more recognizable stripe to help identify the brand. To add to the fresh new look, nylon lifelines have been replaced with long-lasting, dark Grey hypalon fabric handles, carefully placed for ease of grip and functionality. The boat has a 5.5 ft. overall beam and 7.5 ft. interior length. Suggested retail price of the Oceanus 3.20VSC is $5,995, without engine.