Coast Guard crew members aboard four 52-foot Motor Life Boats and one 47-foot Motor Life Boat transit in formation outbound of Yaquina Bay, Ore., April 9, 2019. The four 52-foot MLBs are the only active vessels of their kind and the crews are assigned to different units across the Pacific Northwest, which is why having all four together for the roundup was a rare occurrence.
(U.S. Coast Guard photo by Petty Officer 3rd Class Trevor Lilburn)
It looks like the Coast Guard may be finally looking at replacing the 52 foot Motor lifeboats.
“The U. S. Coast Guard (USCG) is conducting market research in preparation for the replacement of four Special Purpose Craft – Heavy Weather (SPC-HWX). The primary purpose of the SPC-HWX is to conduct Search and Rescue (SAR) missions in extreme weather conditions to include surf and extreme seas and be able to tow larger fishing vessels. Other missions will include Ports, Waterways, and Coastal Security (PWCS) and law enforcement. These boats will replace 52-foot SPC-HWX boats that were built in the 1950s and are increasingly difficult to maintain. The SPC-HWX boats will be deployed to four USCG stations in the Pacific Northwest. A preliminary table of requirements that outlines the features desired in a new SPC-HWX is attached…”
We could see this coming. One has already been taken out of service. They are approaching 60 years old, and, while they have warranted affection from those that have served on them, we can certainly do better. We have been discussing possible replacements for over seven years, here, here, here, here, and here
There are two specifications that I saw as unnecessarily limiting, first the dimensions, length, 64′, beam, 22′ max with fendering, draft 7′, and secondly the maximum speed, 25 knots. Are the maximum dimensions based on infrastructure limits, or are we unnecessarily limiting our choices? Limits on length in particular might preclude use of innovations like the Axe Bow. We really should not have to specify a maximum length, unless there are limits on supporting facilities. Competition will inevitably favor smaller craft as long as they can meet the other specifications. Higher speed is desirable and attainable, so why not add 30 knots as an objective speed and provide an incentive in the contract for reaching speeds over 25 knots. On the other hand the RFI include nothing about noise of G-force limits.
This RFI only refers to replacing the four 52 footers, but in many places, a larger, relatively fast motor lifeboat could be a suitable replacement for the 87 foot WPBs, after all you can expect heavy weather from time to time, anywhere the Coast Guard operates. If the Coast Guard does see the advantage of replacing WPBs with these larger MLBs, it is also possible to make this type of vessel ice-capable for operation in Alaska and and other Northern ports.
There should be no problem finding a builder with the appropriate experience. I expect Vigor now owner of the former Kvichak Marine Industries, Seattle, WA will be a bidder.
I do hope someone will look at the RAFNAR hull form.
Thanks to Lee for bringing this to my attention.
Chuck Hill's CG Blog 
The specs read like an upsized 47 MLB. They are specifically calling for design items that limit top speed ie: must use propellers (not waterjets) and must be able to tow 350 displacement tons. I did like that it calls out a house generator instead of relying on main engine driven alternators for heavy loads. The max length is probably a factor of existing pier/mooring or haul out capability. It is much easier to get new boat money than shoreside money. It has been a factor in the past with small boats for large cutters. The boat Kvichak just made for Eagle had to fit the existing davits. The same thing happened years ago when they made a second batch of 25 MLB for the 210s and 270s even though there were much better designs of boats. No money to modify the ships to handle them.
The 52′ MLBs have two Perkins gensets – i.e., separate from the main propulsion units.
As for towing capability – the 52s were often called on to tow fishing vessels much larger than one would expect.
I can’t speak for existing haul out capabilities at other stations, but after a freight ran into the docks at Yaquina Bay, they rebuild the old defunct haul out, which I would guess that it would then be able to haul out the Victory.
Approaching 60 years old? The Victory was commissioned in 1956. She has done very well for being 64 years old.
They should also consider building more of these. They fit a niche that is useful, particularly in longer range calls instead of using a larger patrol boat. They could be strategically based on both coasts.
Haven’t most of the long range fishing boat tows been handed off to commercial towing now? Sea Tow and the other outfits took all the recreational boat tow jobs.
There are still emergency tows, even if there are commercial outfits that can better handle the tow. The 52s could and did get underway within a few minutes. there were many times when I wished that commercial towing was used instead of the CG boats, but they weren’t when I was stationed at Newport, and from the posts I have seen, the CG boats still seem to be kept very busy with tows that a commercial outfit should handle instead.
Another possible candidate. Pilot boat with man in the water rescue facilities in the stern. https://www.marinelog.com/shipyards/shipyard-news/gladding-hearn-delivers-new-maryland-pilots-launch/
“…all-aluminum launch measures 52.6 feet overall, with a 16.8 feet beam and a 4.8 feet draft. Powered by twin Volvo Penta D16, EPA Tier 3-certified diesel engines, each producing 641 bhp at 1800 rpm, the vessel’s top speed is over 26 knots.”
The Canadian Coast Guard is taking deliveries on these. They seem to meet the specs requested above. They don’t have the range of the 52 but perhaps that is not important in this day and age.
The big question would be , will they fit at the current stations where the 52’s are?
https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/newfoundland-labrador/coast-guard-new-lifeboat-1.4812221
Yeah, Chuck is familiar with the Canadian Coast Guard 62 ft Motor Lifeboat
https://chuckhillscgblog.net/2018/11/13/canadas-new-62-foot-motor-lifeboat/
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