Now It Is Really Time to Replace the 52 Foot MLBs

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)

Just got this comment from Peter on an earlier post,

All four 52 footers are officially retired today. They are all currently underway to rendezvous at Station Cape Disappointment. The Intrepid left Coos Bay yesterday, the Victory left Yaquina Bay at 0200 this morning and the Invincible will leave later today.

The end of a era.

This certainly was not unexpected, and we have had some indication the Coast Guard is looking for replacements. My Feb. 2021 post on the topic included a number of comments and referenced earlier posts and possible alternatives.

As seems to be too frequently the case, we have waited too long to look for a replacement for a system obviously approaching the end of its useful life. There should not have been a gap in providing a replacement. Additionally, in many locations, a faster more capable large MLB could also serve as a replacement for 87 foot WPBs–also approaching the end of their useful life.  This could be a larger program than just five boats.

8 thoughts on “Now It Is Really Time to Replace the 52 Foot MLBs

  1. The 52 foot rescue cutter has been a venerable asset to the PacNW for decades. The Coast Guard has the drawings. Why not reproduce this successful design as a new asset with modernized operational systems? After all, the R & D has already been done. Or would that make too much sense.

  2. Pingback: “VESSEL REVIEW | FELIX SAND – FAST COASTAL RESPONSE BOAT FOR GERMAN SEA RESCUE SERVICE” –Baird Maritime | Chuck Hill's CG Blog

  3. I rode the 52313 out of Grays Harbor 76-78, as MK3. Amazed to know they stayed in service for so long, going out in the worst and always coming back. Good boat.

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