Ocean Technical Services, Inc.,1140 Peters Rd., Harvey, LA 70058 Phone 800-783-7442 or 504-364-1572 Fax 504-362-5949
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Ocean Technical Services, Inc.,1140 Peters Rd., Harvey, LA 70058 Phone 800-783-7442 or 504-364-1572 Fax 504-362-5949
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Ocean Technical Services, Inc. (Otech) recently conducted initial sea trials on our U.S. Coast Guard RB-M prototype vessel. The prototype vessel will be delivered on October 29, 2003 to the Portsmouth, Virginia Coast Guard Station where it will be extensively tested by the Coast Guard along with two other competing prototypes for a contract to produce approximately 180 boats over a five to seven year period. The production RB-Ms will replace the aging fleet of 41' Utility Boats (UTB).
The Otech-Viking RB-M Prototype on Sea Trials = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = Otech's proposed RB-M hull form is a hydrofoil supported catamaran
that offers high initial stability and large deck areas. The catamaran hull form
has been tested thoroughly over the past fifteen years and it's ability to
operate over a wide speed range in severe wind and seas have been proven far
superior to the deep-vee monohulls. The hydrofoil system lifts
approximately 40% of the craft's weight at planing speeds with a very high
lift-to-drag ration thus the hull rides higher in the water and rough seas have
less effect. The foil system also acts to dampen the hull motions in high
sea states. The result is much lower vertical accelerations for the same
speed and sea states than the deep-vee monohulls. The reduced power
requirement leads to less engine weight and fuel capacity.
The prototype RB-M has an overall length of 44 feet 11 inches and a beam of 13 feet 8 1/2 inches. The aft deck provides adequate space for towing, transfers, and helicopter operations. It is well protected by side and aft bulwarks as well as a substantial rail above the aft bulwarks. The side decks are thirty inches wide and allow efficient passage along side the deck house and are also used for side boarding and recovery of persons in the water. The forward area provides room for anchoring, deck stowage, over the bow boarding and weapons operations. The propulsion system selected for the prototype RB-M is a twin Yanmar 6LY2A-STP diesel engines with a total output of 880 Bhp at 3300 RPMs. These are coupled to ZF 280 reduction gears and Kamewa FF 310 water jets. The boat has a top speed between forty and forty-five knots with a cruise speed of thirty-five knots and a two hundred sixty nautical mile range. The two engine rooms are completely separate and fully redundant so that a mechanical failure or flooding of one will not affect the other allowing the craft to maintain power and control. The helmsman will control the boat with a vector stick electronic control system. This system provides full dynamic positioning and station-keeping capabilities in the maneuvering mode and complete throttle, trim and steering control in the underway mode from two seat- mounted joysticks.
The water jet propulsors also play an important role in the maneuverability of the prototype RB-M. They are widely spaced compared to typical monohull installations and provides a large lever arm for creating yaw and sway forces. The control system can maneuver the craft sideways, forward and aft or rotate port and starboard. The integrated navigation system utilizes the latest component and networking technology available in commercial systems for a craft of this size. The system and equipment are consistent with the latest developments in the NDRSMP (Rescue 21) program and are designed for efficient upgrade to a Class II Vessel. The Otech-Viking RB-M craft is specifically tailored to the specified U. S. Coast Guard's RB-M multi-mission requirements. It's systems have been integrated into the design with great effort to maximize reliability, maintainability and supportability while offering greatly reduced procurement, maintenance, fuel and overall life-cycle costs. In addition, the extraordinary sea keeping, ride quality and maneuverability of this craft will stretch the operational envelope of the Coast Guard's newest response boat.
Otech teamed with Viking Fast Craft Solutions, LLC (Viking) on the design of the RB-M prototype. Brennan Smith founded Viking and has many years of direct design experience with several of the U.S. government's most advanced small high-speed vessels including the U.S. Special Operations Command's (USSOCOM) MK V Special Operations Craft and their Special Operations Craft Riverine (SOCR).
Press Release United States Department of Homeland Security U. S. Coast Guard
Contact: U. S. Coast Guard Headquarters Public Affairs Office - 202 267-1587 MCPO Tom Cowan - 202 267-1933 USCG NEWS U. S. Coast Guard Purchases Response Boat - Medium test Boats. WASHINGTON, May 2, 2003 - The U.S. Coast Guard announced today the purchase of three Response Boat - Medium (RB-M) test boats. These boats are the first of a class that will replace the aging fleet of 41' Utility Boats, which have been the workhorse of the coastal stations for the past 25 plus years. The 41' Utility Boats are in operation throughout the United States. The RB-Ms have increased maneuverability and are capable of speeds in excess of 40 knots (46 mph) with twin high output inboard diesel engines. The full cabin provides crew protection from the elements and is equipped with a state of the art navigation system, heating and air conditioning, shock mitigating seats and a communication system prescribed by the Rescue 21 project for coordinated Coast Guard missions and capable of communicating with other Federal, State and Local Homeland Security partners. The Coast Guard is pursuing the RB-M acquisition project with a two-phased competitive process. Three vendors were selected from their written proposals to produce a test boat of their design. Coast Guard personnel will test these boats and the three vendors will bid for a contract for full production consisting of approximately 180 RB-Ms. Contracts for the three test boats were awarded to Ocean Technical Services, Inc. (OTECH), Harvey, LA; Manitowoc Marine Group/Marinette Marine, Marinette, WI; and Textron Systems, marine and Land Operations, New Orleans, LA. Ocean Technical Services, Inc. (OTECH), Harvey, LA qualifies as a "Small Business" as defined by the Small Business Administration (SBA). Each boat will cost approximately $2.5M. Delivery of the test boat is expected by November or early December 2003. Eventually, the Coast Guard will purchase approximately 180 boats as needed over the next six years. The Response Boat - Medium will perform the many missions typically performed by the Coast Guard small boat fleet, including Homeland Security and Search and Rescue. Additionally, the standardization of the RB-M will generate greater optional effectiveness and safety due to standard training and operations; improved maintenance and logistics support; and lower total ownership costs. |
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Luis@oceantech.com with
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U.S.
Coast Guard Response Boat - Medium (RB-M) 
