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SAFE Boats International Awarded US Navy MKVI Patrol Boat Contract

Published May 25, 2012 12:13 PM by The Maritime Executive

SAFE Boats International (SAFE) has been awarded a contract to provide the United States Navy five (5) MKVI Patrol Boats (MKVI PB). The MKVI PB is the Navy’s next generation Patrol Boat and will become a part of the Naval Expeditionary Combat Command’s (NECC) fleet of combatant craft. NECC will utilize the MKVI PB to provide operational commanders a capability to persistently patrol shallow littoral areas beyond sheltered harbors and bays, and into less sheltered open water out to the Departure Sea Area (DSA) for the purpose of force protection of friendly and coalition forces and critical infrastructure.

The MKVI PB has a waterline length of 78-feet and a length overall (LOA) of 85-feet.  It is a variant of SBI’s versatile Archangel class patrol boat and has a hull optimized for both performance and fuel economy. Systems are designed to reduce Total Ownership Cost (TOC), minimize manpower and improve reliability and maintainability. Powered by twin diesel engines and waterjets, the MKVI PB is capable of speeds in excess 30 knots at full load and can be armed with a variety of crew served and remotely operated weapons systems up to 25MM. She has a range in excess of 600 NM and the ability to burn both marine grade diesel and JP-5. Berthing accommodations, galley and head/shower facilities allow for extended missions.

The pilothouse is configured with shock mitigating seating for the crew with work stations integrated into the seats to bring controls and displays into suspension with the operators reducing fatigue and preventing injury. The main cabin is reconfigurable to allow for the accommodation of remotely operated vehicles, the setup of a temporary medical triage area and/or to provide shock mitigating seating for a boarding team and off-duty crew.

“SAFE Boats International (SBI) is thankful to have the opportunity to manufacture and support a craft which will bring back the venerable and storied ‘Patrol Boat’ Class to the US Navy” says Scott Peterson, CEO, SAFE Boats International. “We are intimately aware of the history of the ‘PB’ and are excited at the prospect of being a part of the next chapter in the story of this versatile class of US Navy craft.”

At 85-feet the MK VI PB exceeds the capacities of SBI’s Bremerton Business Park facility, local roads for overland transport to the water, and local launch ramps.  SBI has made the decision to produce the MKVI PB in its newly leased Large Craft Production Facility (LCPF) located in the Port of Tacoma, Washington. Originally developed to build ships for the US Navy during WWII, the size and configuration of the facility will allow for up to six (6) large craft to be under construction simultaneously. Located on the water, the LCPF provides SBI an ideal location to produce and support large craft.

“We searched the entire country for a location to stand up our new facility” said Peterson. “Our desire was to stay in Washington State and specifically the Puget Sound area which is known for its strong ship and boat building industry. I could not be more pleased to find the ideal location only a short distance from our current facilities with a history of providing military craft and with the room for future growth.”