Metal Shark still delivering to CG

Coast Guard stations in Alaska are being re-equipped with five new 29-foot small response boats from the Metal Shark shipbuilding firm in Jeanerette, La. The new vessels are replacing older 25-foot Defender class boats. The deliveries from Louisiana began May 17 when CGS Ketchikan received a pair followed by the Valdez on June 19; and two deliveries to CGS Juneau on June 27. The new small response boats will operate in coastal waters on missions including search and rescue, law enforcement, ports, waterways and coastal security, drug and migrant interdiction and environmental protection and response, according to the CG’s 17th District command. The updated design, also known as Response Boat-Small II, was revamped with more emphasis on ergonomics and crew comfort to improve endurance. The CG contracted with Metal Shark in the fall of 2011 to replace its aging Defenders. The first of the vessels arrived to the CG’s Special Missions Training Center at Camp Lejeune, N.C. in June 2012. (Source: Work Boat 08/27/18)