Category Archives: cutter boats

Over-the-Horizon (OTH-IV) and Long-Range Interceptor (LRI-II)

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Over-the-Horizon (OTH-IV) and Long-Range Interceptor (LRI-II) rigid-hull inflatables on stern of USCGC Stone

Above is a screen grab that I thought might be interesting, in that it provides a comparison of the two boats carried by National Security Cutters, the eight meter OTH-IV to the right and the eleven meter LRI-II to the left on the launch ramp.

The LRI-II is only carried on the Bertholf class National Security Cutters. The OTH is carried by various classes of cutters including the 154 foot Webber class (Fast Response Cutters).

“Boats of the United States Coast Guard” –CG-9

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Response Boat, Medium (RB-M). Photo from Vigor

A friend (thanks Lee) brought this little book to my attention.

“Boats of the United States Coast Guard”

Don’t know how I missed this, but seems very comprehensive, 30 pages and 44 different types of craft.

“Coast Guard awards contract for long range interceptor III cutter boats” –CG-9

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Preliminary general arrangement drawing of the third generation of long range interceptor cutter boats to be made for the Coast Guard. Courtesy of MetalCraft Marine U.S. Inc.

Below is a May 30, 2023 Acquisitions Directorate (CG-9) news release. 

The Coast Guard awarded an indefinite-delivery, indefinite-quantity contract to MetalCraft Marine U.S. Inc. of Watertown, New York, May 23 for construction, testing, delivery and logistical support for the third generation of long range interceptor (LRI III) cutter boats. The contract has a total potential value of $31.3 million. The Coast Guard plans to acquire up to 17 LRI IIIs.

At just under 35 feet in length, the LRI is the larger of two types of cutter boats that are deployed from national security cutters (NSCs). The LRI III is a twin-engine, twin-waterjet driven boat, capable of speeds of 40 knots. The boats will be equipped with a robust navigation and communication system that allows each LRI III to deploy over the horizon, beyond the line of sight of the cutter. The LRI III has a semi-enclosed cabin for protection from weather with interior shock-mitigating seating for five and six additional shock-mitigating seats outside the cabin on the aft deck. The LRI III will replace the current fleet of LRI IIs as those boats approach the end of their service life.

The LRI cutter boat platform is designed to augment Coast Guard NSC mission effectiveness by projecting the parent cutter’s over-the-horizon capability in search and rescue, drug and migrant interdiction, living marine resources, defense readiness, and ports, waterway and coastal security missions.

For more information: Boat Acquisition Program page

“US First OTH V cutter boat delivered to Coast Guard for operational test and evaluation” –CG-9

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A Coast Guard crew tests a newly delivered over the horizon V cutter boat near Cape May, New Jersey. U.S. Coast Guard photo.

The Acquisitions Directorate (CG-9) reports, 

The Coast Guard on April 18 accepted delivery of its first fifth generation over the horizon (OTH V) cutter boat, which will support fast response cutter Angela McShan, based in Cape May, New Jersey. This is the first of four OTH Vs ordered for operational test and evaluation under a 10-year contract awarded to Inventech Marine Solutions of Bremerton, Washington, in August 2022. The contract supports delivery of up to 194 boats and has a total value of almost $100 million.

The OTH V will be deployed across the Coast Guard fleet of national security cutters, fast response cutters, offshore patrol cutters, polar security cutters and legacy medium endurance cutters. Outfitted with an onboard navigation and communications system, the OTH V will provide a high-speed capability to extend parent cutter capabilities when deployed in support of multiple Coast Guard missions.

OTH Vs will support mission accomplishment in almost all mission areas, with emphasis on search and rescue, drug and migrant interdiction, living marine resources, defense readiness, and ports, waterways and coastal security operations.

For more information: Boat Acquisition Program page

“Coast Guard selects builder for next-generation over the horizon cutter boats” –CG-9

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Over the horizon V cutter boat line drawing. Image courtesy of Inventech Marine Solutions.

The Acquisitions Directorate (CG-9) has announced award of a contract for a new class of 8 meter, Over the Horizon Cutter Boats.

The Coast Guard selected Inventech Marine Solutions of Bremerton, Washington, to build the next generation of over the horizon (OTH V) cutter boats. The first delivery order for four OTH Vs was placed Aug. 3 with a value of $1.973 million. These four OTH Vs will be used for operational test and evaluation before the program moves to full production. The 10-year contract supports delivery of up to 200 boats with a total value of approximately $103 million.

Beyond the similarities of speed and weight between the OTH V and the OTH IV it is replacing, the OTH V will include improved waterjet control technology, the second generation Scalable Integrated Navigation System, new generation communications equipment and the Coast Guard’s first boat shock monitoring system, which will provide the crew with real-time information on wave impact severity. The OTH V is powered by a marine diesel engine and waterjet, with a top speed of approximately 40 knots and a range in excess of 170 nautical miles. The dimensions are limited to 26 feet long by 8.5 feet wide, with a maximum performance weight of 8,700 pounds, to ensure compatibility with the various Coast Guard cutters it will support.

The Coast Guard awarded four OTH V indefinite delivery, indefinite quantity contracts in June 2021, purchasing one boat from each contractor. Following delivery of the boats, the Coast Guard detailed five test crews to Norfolk, Virginia, to operate the boats for nearly four months in side-by-side simulated operational events to help identify the best value contract for follow-on production. Naval Surface Warfare Center, Carderock Division, Detachment Norfolk documented particulars of the performance and provided test facilities and support.

The Coast Guard will deploy the OTH V across the Coast Guard’s cutter fleet to national security cutters, fast response cutters, offshore patrol cutters, legacy medium endurance cutters, future polar security cutters and in-service polar icebreakers.

OTH V cutter boats will support almost all mission areas, with emphasis on search and rescue; drug and migrant interdiction; living marine resources; defense readiness; and ports, waterways and coastal security.

For more information: Boat Acquisition Program page