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CLEARWATER, Florida — Crewmembers at Coast Guard Station St. Petersburg, Florida, tested new life-saving boats, Monday.
The tests began after the station received three 29-foot Response Boat-Small II platforms in early August.
Crewmembers became familiar with the boat’s maneuverability, functionality and design during the tests. The RB-S II is replacing the older 25-foot Response Boat-Small, as part of the service's plan to standardize and revitalize its shore-based fleet.
"As Station St. Petersburg crews transition to the Coast Guard's newest Response Boat-Small platform, we will be better prepared to serve the Tampa Bay area mariners with a boat that provides state of the art electronic navigation, improved communication systems and crew mitigating-fatigue designs," said Senior Chief Petty Officer Eamon McCormack, officer in charge at Station St. Petersburg. "Ultimately, this means the latest, advanced tools are in the operators hands to save lives, and to protect property and the environment.”
The RB-S II is a high-speed, easily deployable asset designed to operate year-round in shallow waters along coastal borders. The boat is four feet longer than its predecessor and was designed with an increased emphasis on function and crew comfort.