(MOBILE, Ala.) — Silver Ships has completed the construction and delivery of the first four coastal fast response boats (CFRBs) under a seven-vessel contract worth $6.12 million from Naval Sea Systems Command.
The first four vessels were designed and constructed as a part of the U.S. Navy Foreign Military Sale (FMS) program and will benefit the NATO navy; the other three boats will support a Central American navy upon delivery. Each CFRB was inspected in Alabama and accepted by the U.S. Navy.
The seven custom-designed military CRFBs feature specialized communication and navigation equipment. The 46-foot deep-V hull vessels feature a cabin and WING collar system. They are powered by twin Caterpillar C7 500-hp inboard diesel engines and HamiltonJet HJX-29 waterjets. The waterjets enable the vessels to continuously operate in shallow and coastal areas where outboards would typically be less effective.
The CFRBs will be used for coastal and harbor patrol and as law enforcement interceptor vessels. The CFRB series is versatile and can be tailored to specific mission needs.
The CFRB was developed in response to the U.S. Navy’s workboat program requirements. The large, fast cabin vessel amplifies the features of Silver Ships’ Endeavor and Ambar series vessels. Currently, Silver Ships has a CFRB fireboat variant in production.
“This is a special category of boat that incorporates some of the best features of our proven Endeavor (propulsion plant, hull form and push knees on bow) and Ambar (collar, cabin) designs. It is uniquely suited as a military, law enforcement, fire or dive platform with more endurance and a cuddy cabin that can support offshore missions of up to several days’ duration,” said Shawn Lobree, Silver Ships director of federal programs.
– Silver Ships
