RIB Report

Versatility Prevails at Silver Ships/AMBAR

Having built over 200 aluminum RHIB's, Silver Ships, Inc. / AMBAR Marine, has grabbed a foothold in the design and construction of aluminum RHIB's - all of which are constructed in accordance with SOLAS regulations.

The U.S. Coast Guard operates 90 AMBAR Marine Non-Standard RHIB's and the U.S. Navy Sea Systems Command operates 40 AMBAR Marine Special Service RHIB's. Silver Ships, Inc./AMBAR Marine constructs approximately 43 vessels per year, 80 percent of which are RHIB's while the remaining 20% have been Patrol/Security boats, and various work boats ranging from 23-48 ft. (7-14.6 m).

McKee Craft: The Unsinkables

Upon discovery, in 1966 following extensive R&D, Lanness McKee, Sr. uncovered the secret to the most rugged, unsinkable marine construction in the market. Fine tuned throughout the last 35 years, the process has come to be known as the PBS or Pressure Bonding System. Utilizing intense pressure and high density foam to fuse together every inch of the hull and deck, this process eliminates the need for stringers, thus creating one unitized part of strength.

Almar — Fast, Seaworthy and Durable

With design innovation as its hallmark, Almar's patrol rescue line is no exception to the notion. From rear well deck with transom access doors to dive platforms and de-watering pumps,

Almar's boats also employ a unique buoyant outboard bracket that increases water line length, while adding buoyancy and a roomier interior.

Almar's Patrol Rescue Sounder boasts welded aluminum hulls with fully enclosed cabins and 20-24 degree deep vee bottoms for a smooth ride, shallow draft and unsurpassed maneuverability at high speeds. Specifically speaking, onboard a 26 x 9-ft. (7.9 x 2.7-m) Sounder Cuddy Cabin that was built for the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. This vessel gains power via its 7.3 liter Mercruiser diesel and Bravo III/O.

Charitable RIB Features CAT Power

A charitable expedition is relying on Caterpillar main propulsion supplied by Finning U.K. Ltd. The expedition, led by Bear Grylls, will attempt to cross the Atlantic in a RIB power boat in later July - with a starting point of Nova Scotia. The RIB, built by Ocean Dynamics, is a 35-ft. (10.6-m) aluminum hulled boat which features a Caterpillar 3126B marine diesel propulsion engine rated at 456 mhp at 2,800 rpm, which drives the boat via a Twin Disc TDEJ130 jet drive, and is designed to deliver a cruising speed in the region of 18-25 knots, depending upon fuel and water storage conditions. The boat will have a top speed of 28 knots at reduced fuel and water levels, but with the longest leg of the voyage — from Greenland to Reykjavik — spanning a distance of over 850 n.m.

The RIBCRAFT 7.8 Mitigator

This past summer, RIBCRAFT USA debuted a technologically driven 25-ft. RIB. The boat integrates multiple technologies, all designed to dramatically increase driver and passenger comfort and safety, into one innovative boat. Though rigid inflatables, RIBCRAFT set out to use the latest technologies — taking things a step further. The charge for this RIB was to take a hull with the RIBCRAFT 7.8 design, and start from the waterline up using completely innovative technologies to improve the overall comfort. This was accomplished by modifying the configuration to allow for longer, more comfortable offshore passages. The 7.8's proven offshore hull design features a generous deep "V", an impressive forward dead rise, and multiple full length spray rails. RIBCRAFT has eliminated the conventional steering wheel for a unique handlebar steering control system. This control system will allow the driver to control steering and all gearshift, throttle and cruise control operations without ever having to release his stabilizing grip of the handlebar. Powered by a 225-hp Honda four-stroke, this RIB will reach 45 mph.

Northwind's Enforcer Provides Special Services

Sharp is the best way to describe Northwind Marine's recent 23-ft. (7-m) and 30-ft. (9.1-m) additions to its Extreme Task Force Line of Aluminum-hull Rigid Inflatable Boats. With a 25.5-degree transom dead rise and a 36-degree waterline entry point, the first of the new models to finish production at the Seattle Wash. facility is the 23-ft Extreme. According to Bruce Reagan, president of Northwind Marine Inc., the company has received many requests for a boat of this size with a very sharp deep-V hull. The latest 23-ft Extreme to be put in service is with the Alaskan State Troopers. Outfitted with a T-top, three-sided center console and twin 130-hp Honda four stroke engines, the state trooper boat reaches top speeds of 40 knots. "The 23's are being configured with single or twin outboard engine packages and several different deck arrangements," Reagan said. Northwind Marine's other new boat addition, the 30-ft. Pilot Master, has a 24-degree transom dead rise and a 42-degree waterline entry point. The commercial models undergoing production are powered by twin 240-hp Yanmar diesels and Hamilton 274 waterjets.

Wing Inflatables - Model for Strong RIBs

Wing Inflatables manufactures original equipment and replacement sponsons for virtually any RIB. Air-holding or air/foam hybrids, all of Wing's tubes are designed and manufactured in the U.S., using 40 oz. industrial grade, 100 percent polyurethane coated fabric. The use of polyurethane coated fabric, advanced construction techniques, and superior design ensure that a RIB with a Wing sponson will require low maintenance - and look pretty sharp too.

The Moose is Loose

Offering catamarans with three basic hulls, Moose Boots, a division of Ironwind, prides itself on the design and construction of boats that are functional, attractive and rugged. The three hull products have various cabin configurations and cabin interior layouts tailored for various needs. Propulsion options range from outboard power v-drive, stern drive, surface drive or water jets. More extensively, each of the options and configurations can be interchanged on any of Moose Boats' hulls.

The all-aluminum boats are built on a ridged steel jig, or frame mold, and every hull is completely welded while on this mold before being removed and turned over for topside construction, thus eliminating any unnecessary frames. This will in turn reduce weight and welding fatigue points setting the stage for a strong hull that weighs less and maintains fair lines.

New Arctic 20 RIBs for the Hellenic Navy

The Hellenic Navy has specified VT Halmatic Arctic 20 rigid inflatable boats (RIBs) for use aboard their new class of fast attack craft. The first boats have now been delivered to Greece for operational training prior to deployment.

The new Arctic 20 has been designed for demanding military and commercial operators requiring a smaller robust general purpose RIB suitable for a wide variety of operational requirements.

The Hellenic Navy's Arctic 20 RIBs are fitted with twin 90-hp outboard motors providing responsive handling and top speeds in excess of 40 knots. Davit-mounted aboard the new 62-m ships, the new Arctic 20's will be used for general ship's duties including boarding, rescue and personnel transfer.

Powered by single or twin outboard motor installations the Arctic 20 offers various deck configurations that include both forward and aft steering positions. The standard specification includes hydraulic steering, a heavy duty, five compartment Neoprene inflation collar and a watertight instrument panel.

AMH - Mission Possible

AMH Government Sales, which is a division of American Marine Holdings, Inc., goes above and beyond the average "boat." The company takes things a step further by supplying solutions geared toward mission requirements. Standing by "Operational excellence" as its motto, AMH's engineering philosophy rests on the laurels of shock mitigating hulls, positive flotation and heavy-duty features to ensure that the vessels will hold up to take a beating from both government and commercial users. Developed as a stand-alone division to service the specialized needs of government and commercial users, AMH utilizes hulls from its sister organizations as well, mainly Donzi Marine and Pro-Line Boats, both of which have more than 35 years of proven hull designs.

Rough Water "New RIB on the Block"

Rosborough Boats of Halifax Nova Scotia recently introduced its line of semi custom Heavy Duty Rigid Hull Inflatable boats. The Rough Water line was developed to meet the new and growing demand for Rigid Hull Inflatables with more personnel carrying capacity, workability space and operational stability. Canada's Fisheries & Oceans Conservation and Protection Police took delivery of four 30-ft. (9.1-m) Rough Water full wheelhouse, wide body boats this winter (for operations off the Canadian Atlantic coast), and more are expected to be contracted for later this season. The Rough Water designs offer a 26-ft. (7.9-m) and 30-ft. (9.1-m) narrow deep V (33 degree) configuration, as strictly Chase Boat, and the larger 30 ft. version modified deep V (24 degree) hull. The Wide Body Rough Water 30 boasts a full 6-ft. working floor width, five crew wheelhouse and a forward cuddy area for equipment, toilet, safety gear etc. Working and cockpit floor areas are large with a fore deck area at the bow. All decks are molded in nonskid and hatches are tread plate. The under floor area forward accessed through two water tight hatches offer large storage and hold capacity, and the dual fuel tanks are equal in capacity and together provide a total of 164 gallons for extended operations. Powered with twin Yamaha 150 hp HPDI outboards, the 30 ft. reached a top speed of 45 knots with continuous cruise speeds up to 35 knots. Rosborough's test version of the Rough Water 30 wide body was configured with a pair of Mercury 225 hp.

Zodiac's SRPs Will be Featured in "New" Navy

Zodiac's Short Range Prosecutor or SRP (a.k.a. the Hurricane 770 DJ) is custom-built for the U.S. Coast Guard's multi-billion dollar Deepwater program. The vessel, which has highly advanced deepwater design features, is being portrayed as a boat of the future for far-reaching anti-terrorism and counter-narcotics operations.

Zodiac was recently chosen by the USCG and Bollinger Shipyards to supply the series of 84 custom-built deepwater class vessels for use during extended, long-range patrol missions. SRPs are used on a variety of Coast Guard vessels, such as fast response cutters, national security cutters and offshore patrol cutters. They are launched from patrol boats or cutters for operations consisting of boarding, personnel recovery, and search and rescue. H-770 measures 25 ft. (7.6-m) with an aluminum hull and is equipped with a Yanmar 315 hp engine with a Hamilton 241 water jet drive. It is designed with a four-point lifting sling with a stainless steel ring, which allows for safe, fast launch and recover to and from the Coast Guard vessel.

Willard Marine Teams With Scarab

Willard Marine is expanding its line of commercial and tour boats with an alliance with Scarab, Inc. Scarab Inc., was founded by Larry Smith, whose offshore race boats are world-renowned. Willard will be offering and building the Scarib 54 RIB, which is the largest RIB to be Coast Guard approved for up to 60 passengers. Several of these RIBs, of various lengths, are in service in the Hawaiian Islands and the Caribbean as passenger ferries off-loading cruise ships, rafting adventures, snorkel excursions, dolphin and whale watching, ecology tours and corporate charters. The craft are built in high-strength, low-maintenance fiberglass reinforced plastic (FRP). Design features include two heads with 6.5 ft. headroom, optional beverage bar and lunch box facilities for full-day excursions, and a fresh water shower. The 23-degree deadrise deep-vee hull shows its offshore racing pedigree with a ride designed to be smooth and comfortable in rough seas. It can be fitted with conventional shaft, water-jet, I/O, or surface drive propulsion matched o the customer's choice of diesel power. Standard engine installations are Cummins Mercury diesels from 300 to 600 hp. The inflatable collar greatly increases ride comfort and stability, and is manufactured by Wing Inflatables.

SeaArk Marine Can Multi-Task

SeaArk Marine, Inc., of Monticello, Ark., delivered the first of a multi-boat order for Naval Sea Systems Command. The 34-ft. (10.3-m) Dauntless RAM, destined for Naval Coastal Warfare units, is the first of 36 boats to be delivered to the Atlantic and Pacific Fleets. These boats feature a 20-degree Radical Vee Deadrise Hull, twin 370-hp Cummins 6BTA5.9M-3 diesel propulsion with Konrad 520 series stern drives, on board AC power, air conditioning, head, galley, electronics suite, foam filled air cushioned collar for boarding and shouldering operations, 4 - 50 caliber weapons mount foundations, ammunition storage, weapons storage, sona buoy storage, recessed forward gunner area and foundations and accommodations for future installation of classified electronics.

Customized for Protection

Protector, a multipurpose, high-performance boat engineered for work and designed for response has already been customized in the U.S. for marine police patrol, search and rescue, firefighting, and other commercial operations. "Everyone who has had the opportunity to operate our new 28-ft. Port Security demonstrator appreciates Protector’s deep understanding of commercial quality," says Bill Clark, Protector's director of Commercial Products.

The Protector, a rigid hull inflatable boat (RIB) with a cabin, offers the safety, stability and power - even in the most challenging conditions. Introduced to the U.S. in the late 1990s, Protector already has a successful performance record with New Zealand's leaders in the industry, including the coast guard, police, search and rescue and fire departments. Its commercial grade, multi-functional design will provide any organization the ability to easily deploy a Protector RIB to handle a variety of operations, such any weather patrolling in a dry, fully-integrated cabin; search and rescue with a smooth riding, high speed, low freeboard design; and high speed firefighting response with an optional, fully integrated pumping capability