RIBS Roundup

Moose Wins Six-Boat Navy Deal

Moose Boats won two contracts from the U.S. Navy to build six more Moose 340C Catamaran Patrol Boats. The contract totals approximately $2.9 million, and the first boat is scheduled to be delivered in January 2005. The Moose 340C is a 36.5-ft. All-Aluminum Jet Powered Catamaran with twin Cummins

380 hp turbo diesels and is propelled by Hamilton 292 water jets. These vessels will be assigned to stations in San Diego, Calif. If required, the boat can be deployed at speeds over 34 knots with armament including 50 caliber and M60 machine guns. Moose Boats will demonstrate the 340C Patrol Boat in the water at MACC 2004.

Willard's 36: Fit 'Enforcer'

Willard Marine's 36 ft. Enforcer RIB features a removable cabin. These all-weather craft, complete with heating and air-conditioning, can be used for ship's boats and for 24-hour patrol. This model is based on the standard Willard 36 ft. NSW-type open, 30-passenger, RIB being produced for the U.S. Navy. Production has begun at the rate of two 36 ft. RIBs per month. Equipped with water-jets or outdrive propulsion, these jumbo-sized versatile 36 ft RIBs perform well in elevated sea-states with large loads. The deep V hull design is by C. Raymond Hunt Associates.

Ribcraft Mitigator

Ribcraft's Mitigator 25 ft. (7.8 m) vessel is a popular choice for the U.S. government, selected by the U.S. Coast Guard and U.S. Air Force recently. The new 25 ft. Ribcraft Mitigator integrates multiple technologies designed to enhance driver and passenger comfort and safety by mitigating many of the naturally occurring actions generated by changing sea conditions and high speeds.

SeaArk: Continues Success

SeaArk is arguably one of the more successful boatbuilders, profiting from the recent splurge in boat buying from federal, state and local authorities. Its RAM design uses proven, existing hull forms, and modify a very small area to accept a simple but effective attachment system. The result is a vessel that utilizes the benefits of a Rigid Hull Inflatable, without sacrificing the design or function of the boat. Interior structure, framing, and hull plating all remain basically the same as the standard Commander and Dauntless class vessels. Cockpit and superstructures can be configured identical to non-collared boats.

State of Art Rescue/Salvage

The quick response rescue RIB, Safe/Sea Block Island, measures 33 x 12 ft. and was built by Almar for Safe/Sea. The Almar hull is welded marine aluminum of heavy duty construction, and features 28-in. diameter Wing polyurethane tubes; twin 315 hp Yanmar Diesel engines; Borg Warner 1:1 gears; and Hamilton 274 jet propulsion units.

OTECH Offers New Boat

Ocean Technical Services, Inc. (Otech) offers a new boat fabricated in marine grade aluminum, designed to perform various missions including patrol, surveillance, search and rescue, port security, diving and anti-terrorism activities. The hull form is a hydrofoil supported catamaran that offers increased stability and large deck areas. This Patrol Boat was one of three U.S.C.G. Response Boat Medium (RB-M) prototypes completed in Phase I of the project. Otech teamed with Viking Fast Craft Solutions, LLC (Viking) on the design of the RB-M prototype.

Northwind USV is Sly Design

Air dropable, ship deployable and multi-mission configurable Northwind Marine's unmanned surface vehicle (USV) dubbed the "SeaFox" is a little package delivering multiple capabilities for the expanding requirements of fleet and port security. Originally commissioned through the Office of Naval Research (ONR) Tech Solutions Program for towing air gunnery training targets at 40 knots, the 16-ft x 5-ft Northwind Marine Inc. engineered, alternative fuels USV, is compact and capable of carrying relatively large payloads.

Other potential applications include pre-fire weapons range clearance, location inspection for reconnaissance teams, night surveillance, data relay and commercial fishing support. In conjunction with other companies, Northwind is working on several electronics packages that fulfill a wide range of mission functions. Although existing SeaFox USVs are in use, Northwind Marine Inc. is planning to demonstrate the most recent version at MACC 2004 . It is designed to operate at 40 knots in sea state 3 with a 200-hp JP5 engine.

VT Halmatic Arctic 24 RIB

VT Halmatic delivered an Arctic 24 RIB to the island of Tristan da Cunha. Located in the South Atlantic, approximately 1,740 miles west of Cape Town, Tristan da Cunha is acknowledged as the world's most remote inhabited island. The island supports a thriving community concentrating on fishing and agriculture. Power is provided by twin 200 hp outboard motors and the vessel is capable of speeds in excess of 50 knots.