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18 • MarineNews • March, 2006 By Larry Pearson 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, head- quartered 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 low- ered in the water and recovered and stowed on deck. Fast-forward to February 2003, and the start of the Deepwater program, a $20 Bil- lion, 25-year program to upgrade the Coast Guard's land, sea and air assets. The first part of the program was to ren- ovate and upgrade the 49 Island class, 110-ft. patrol boats. A major part of this upgrade was to add a 13-ft. stern section to accommodate a stern launched and recoverable RIB. Prime RIBs USCG The 123-ft. Coast Guard patrol boat Matagorda on sea trials with her RIB deployed. A Short Range Prosecutor (SRP) at the Zodiac of North America's corporate office in Stevensville, Md. This vessel type is used on the Island Class patrol boats that were converted and on the new 141-ft. Fast Response cutter under design. The SRP will also be carried on the two larger cutters in the Deep- water Program. MARCH MN2006 3(17-24).qxd 3/3/2006 5:25 PM Page 18
