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A lthough the market for combat craft has slowed, there is a good deal of activity to report, especially in regard to the U.S. Coast Guard. The service is busy with its Response Boat-Medium (RB-M) and Response Boat-Small (RB-S) projects, pitting Metal Shark Aluminum Boats of Louisiana against SAFE Boats International of Washington State, in what it calls a “boat off.” In this scheme, one of these builders will be awarded a con- tract, or contracts, to build up to 500 RB-S boats, while the other is only paid for their pilot craft. In June both builders will deliver their test boats to the Coast Guard where the agency will evaluate them and make its decision. Almost sounds like a scheme for a new reality TV series. The Coast Guard is also looking around for a possible “off-the-shelf” craft for a series of small boats for boarding teams and rescue missions launched from its new National Security Cutters and other large platforms. If no combat crafts out there fit the bill, the Coast Guard will eventually release a Request for Proposal for a purpose-built series. Switching perspectives to that of commercial boat builders, our feature this month offers insights from three differ- ent companies specializing in combat crafts. Leaders from these commercial yards talk about their particular niches, how the market for military and paramilitary craft has changed and how the federal procurement process has become more complicated than it once was. And finally, adding some adventure on the high seas, I also spoke with David Smith of Professional Components who completed a record breaking run in a Zodiac RIB from the Atlantic to the Pacific through the Northwest Passage last fall. For most of the two month trip, he piloted the boat, which was equipped with his own shock mitigating console. He undertook his voyage, along with a real reality TV program star, Bear Grylls, in part to prove the value of his Integrated Control Environment (ICE) console. Whether the trip had anything to do with it or not, his shock mitiga- tion system is now being evaluated in a pilot program for Coast Guard boarding teams. SUBSCRIBE Subscribe to the print or electronic edition of MarineNews at www.marinelink.com/renewsubscr/Renew04/subscribe.html or e-mail Kathleen Hickey at mrcirc@marinelink.com DAILY NEWS via E-MAIL Twice every business day we provide breaking news, tailored to your specification, delivered FREE directly to your e-mail. To subscribe visit http://maritimetoday.com/login.aspx POST & SEARCH JOBS Job listings are updated daily and help match employers with qualified employees. Post a position or keep abreast of new employment opportunities at http://www.maritimejobs.com ADVERTISE MN offers a number of print and electronic advertising packages. To see our editorial calendar and advertising rates, visit www.marinelink.com/AdvRates/Rates.asp Raina Clark, Managing Editor, rainaclark@marinelink.com Want to hear more from behind the editor’s desk? Visit the MarineNews Notes blog at www.MaritimeProfessional.com. Online Resour ces 6 MN May 2011 EDITOR’S NOTE rainaclark@ marinelink.com
