RB-M: the Coast Guard's Durable Workhorse

 

“I’d rather have that boat than any other in the fleet,” he said, admiring its functionality and capability.

 

Reynolds, a Boatswain’s Mate at Station Little Creek, is speaking about 45601, the first 45-foot Response Boat – Medium (RB-M) that was delivered to Coast Guard crews. Since 2008, over 170 RB-Ms have been delivered to over 100 boat stations throughout the Coast Guard.

 

Station Little Creek holds the title of being the first unit to conduct missions on RB-M, which began replacing the 41-foot Utility Boat (UTB) used throughout the service, 10 years ago.

 

Coast Guard members used the UTB to great effect for over 25 years, conducting many rescues and missions, leading some crews to label it a workhorse. Officially retired in 2014, the UTB was slower, less maneuverable and proved challenging in shallow water due to its propellers. In 2008 the Coast Guard began replacing it with RB-Ms, moving the focus towards a boat that could handle more types of missions.

 

Designed to be a jack-of-all-trades, the RB-M has modern features such as a jet water engine, rather than traditional propellers, updated electronic systems, improved maneuverability and an expansive deck area.

 

“With the extra deck space, we’re able to either take on more passengers during a medevac or transfer, or are able to even bring individuals like EMTs out along with us,” said Reynolds.

 

Thanks to these features, the RB-M allows for crews to go beyond search and rescue and take their capabilities and response to a level they were unable to reach previously with the UTB. A multi-mission platform, the RB-M could conduct ports, waterways, and coastal security, defense readiness and marine environmental protection missions, among other missions.

 

“We’re able to get better response times because it’s faster, smoother and easy to steer,” said Petty Officer 2nd Class Parker Bohannon of Station Little Creek. “It even has a docking ability that gives a side propulsion.”

 

While the machinery inside may be over a decade old, it can be said that time hasn’t aged the capability of 45601.

 

“The 45-foot Response Boat-Medium has been a solid modernized asset for the past 10 years,” said Senior Chief Karel Mullen, officer-in-charge at Station Portsmouth and one of the Boatswain Mates present when the RB-Ms entered the service. “It provides an exceptional return on investment for Coast Guard response operators and will continue to be a boat forces workhorse for the next ten years and beyond.”