44-Foot Motor Life Boat (MLB)

44-foot motor lifeboat

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History

Development of the 44-foot motor lifeboat (MLB) began in April of 1961 when the Coast Guard authorized the construction of a single prototype (USCGC 44300) which was then completed in March of 1962. The 44' MLB was developed to replace the 36' MLB, which had been in operational service with the USCG (then the Life Saving Service) since 1929. The 44' MLB offered a number of improvements over the 36', namely, better surf speed, better communications, better navigation and handling aids, and better durability, being constructed of steel rather than wood. Ultimately 110 44' MLBs would be built between 1962 and 1972 at the Coast Guard's Curtis Bay yard in Baltimore, MD. During the entire service history of the 44' MLB, not a single one has ever sunk or otherwise been lost at sea. Beginning in 1997 44' MLBs were withdrawn from service as they were replaced by the newer, more capable, 47' MLB. Currently, there is only one 44' MLB still in active service with the Coast Guard, (CG 44301 which also happens to be the first production 44' MBL which entered service with the Coast Guard) operating out of Coast Guard Station Chatham, MA. where a shallow, breaking inlet requires the use of a life boat with a shallower draft than that of the 47' MLB.

Description

General Characteristics:
The 44' Motor Life Boats are 44 feet long, have a beam of 13 feet, and draw 3.5 feet of water. Their displacement is 17.7 tons at full load and they have a compliment of 4 (they can operate with a minimum crew of 3) and can accommodate as many as 21 additional passengers. The Cummins-engined MLBs have a top speed of 16 knots, while the GM powered boats have a top speed of 14 knots. The operational range of the Cummins equipped boats was 150 nautical miles while the GM equipped boats had a range of 200 nautical miles. The 44' MLB can tow disabled ships of up to 100 tons.

The 44' MLB has a Cor-ten (weathering steel) steel hull, decking and framing of mild steel construction, and an aluminum superstructure. It is capable of operating in 20' surf conditions, 30' seas and winds of 50 knots sustained. The 44' MLB is self-righting, and can return to an upright, operational configuration within 30 seconds and its range of stability (the arc left and right of full upright) is approximately 175 degrees.

Propulsion:
The 44' motor lifeboats are powered either by two Cummins V6-200 diesel engines, producing 400 horsepower combined or two General Motors 6V-53 diesel engines providing 370 horsepower combined. Propulsion is provided by two shafts fitted with fixed pitch screws.

Electronics:
Focused on inshore search and rescue operations, the 44' MLB's are equipped with SSB (single side band) HF and VHF radios for communications, as well as a VHF-FM, and GPS/LORAN system for electronic navigation.

Armament:
The 44' motor lifeboats are not armed.