Volvo Penta to Supply Engines for Next-Generation RIBs for Coast Guard Cutters

CHESAPEAKE, Va. — Volvo Penta of the Americas has been selected to supply the engines, drives and controls for the new U.S. Coast Guard cutter boat large (CBL) rigid-hull inflatable boats (RIBs), which are being built at Metal Craft Marine.

The boats will be powered by Volvo Penta three-liter 220 hp diesel Aquamatic sterndrive systems with HD controls.

The Coast Guard awarded a five-year indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity (IDIQ) contract to Metal Craft to build and deliver a minimum of 46 new 7-meter RIBs with deliveries to begin in 2019. They will be constructed at Metal Craft’s shipyard in Cape Vincent, New York.

The RIBs are designed for a top speed of 35-plus knots carrying up to 13 passengers with an operating range of 200 nautical miles in up to 4-meter wave heights. They will be carried on three different classes of U.S. Coast Guard cutters.

“The Volvo Penta diesel sterndrives are the perfect propulsion package for these rugged workhorse RIBs,” said Bob Clark, contracts manager at Metal Craft Marine. “They have an unsurpassed reputation for dependable performance under the most difficult conditions, and Volvo Penta’s extensive global service network ensures rapid availability of spare parts and technical support will ensure maximum uptime for these critical shipboard assets.”

“We will work closely with the Metal Craft shipyard team to provide smooth and seamless installation and validation of the propulsion system on each boat to ensure the boats are delivered on time,” said Jens Bering, vice president of marine sales at Volvo Penta of the Americas.

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