Marine Protector-class Patrol Boat (WPB)

87-foot patrol boat

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History

The Marine Protector-class of 87-foot costal patrol boats (WPB) was initiated in 1993 to replace the existing fleet of Vietnam-era 82' Point-class patrol boats. The 87' WPBs would offer improvements in crew habitability, electronics, communications, and sea handling. Most notably, the 87' WPBs are capable of deploying and recovering a 5.5m RIB (Rigid hull Inflatable Boat) while underway (with the 82' WPBs, deploying the RIB required the patrol boat break off operations to winch the RIB over the side with a hoist.)

The design of the 87' WPB is based upon the Damen Stan Patrol 2600 then in service with the Hong Kong Police. The production contract was awarded to the Bollinger Shipyards out of Lockport, LA. With the first production model, the USCGC Barracuda (CG 87301), entering service in Eureka, CA. in January 1998. Construction would be split between Bollinger, which was responsible for construction of the hull in addition to final assembly, while the superstructure would be assembled by VT Halmatic.

A total of 65 have been produced, with the last, USCGC Terrapin (CG 87366), commissioned in January 2005 and assigned to Bellingham, WA. Unit cost was $3.5 million per boat.

Description

General Characteristics:
The Marine Protector-class patrol boats are 87 feet long, have a beam of 19.5 feet, and draw 5.5 feet of water. Their displacement is 91 tons at full load and they have a normal compliment of 9 enlisted and one officer. They have a top speed of 25 knots, and a maximum cruising range of 900 nautical miles. They have a 200-ton towing capacity.

The embarked RIB is a 17' Zodiac Hurricane aluminum-hulled craft. The RIB is equipped with a 100 horsepower diesel engine and a Hamilton water jet drive and is capable of reaching speeds of 30 knots. The stern launch/recovery ramp is winch operated and allows for the deployment and recovery of the RIB by a single crewmember in seas up to 8-feet.

Propulsion:
The Marine Protector-class patrol boats are powered by two MTU 8V396TE94 twin-turbo V8 diesel engines, producing 2,680 horsepower combined. Propulsion is provided by two shafts fitted with fixed pitch 5-bladed screws.

Electronics:
The 87' WPBs are equipped with standard HF/VHF/UHF communications equipment as well as a differentiating global positioning system (DGPS) and electronic chart system for navigating. The Marine Protector-class patrol boats are also equipped with an SPS-73 navigational radar.

Armament:
The Marine Protector-class patrol boats are equipped with two pintle-mounted M2 .50 caliber machine guns as well as boarding party small arms.