Page 29: of Marine News Magazine (June 2014)

and deck layouts for different mission proÞ les or as their role changes over time. Although Offshore Patrol Vessels (OPV) are used all over the world to cover large areas of water, it is the shipÕs boat that is launched to board a suspect craft. Visit, Board, Search, Seizure (VBSS) are maritime boarding actions that range from anti-piracy to conduct- ing customs, safety and other compliance inspections. As sophisticated criminals increasingly use sea transport the speciÞ cation of law enforcement and security craft is evolv- ing. The motivation is high when typical illegal cargoes include narcotics, arms and people. Smugglers operate from all sizes of vessels while the boarding teams and naval forces usually transit from a larger vessel to the target in 25 to 40 foot RHIBs.An increasing role for larger RHIBs and HSC is asset protection or high interest vessel escort which requires a moving security zone as ships approach or leave a port. This level of positive control requires multiple craft sup- porting interoperability between military, police and gov- ernment agencies. OEM boat builders providing craft to this sector need to fully understand the end-user require- ments. Specialist solutions include lightweight ballistic protection, shock mitigating seating linked to control systems and sophisticated surveillance electronics. With a full situational awareness suite the electronics may now be higher value than the standard boat. But with all this technology various organizations still require an alongside ramming or Ôhard contactÕ ca- pability to physically intercept other craft.The call for extreme fast craft with speciÞ c requirements and capabilities has led to innova- tive designs including catama- rans, multi-hulls and novel hull forms. However the process of one-off craft design and be-spoke equipment can mean that in the period from concept through tender to launch the requirement has changed, technology is outdated or the craft has simply become too complex for its original LOA. Timelines and budget con- straints are increasingly driving procurement decisions. By identifying the priority roles and accepting a level of compromise various Commercial Off The Shelf (COTS) hull, engineering and equipment solutions are increasingly viable.RHIBs make excellent personnel carriers. The inß atable collar makes the craft extremely versatile by providing high stability and the ability to fender off vessels without dam- age. Foam collar designs offer a heavy duty fender that can be cut, perforated or shot but will not deß ate. Tampa Yacht Manufacturing (TYM) is working with clients around the world to create cost effective COTS fast craft platforms. Robert Stevens of TYM said, ÒA RHIB with air Þ lled tubes is often a good choice for stopping and searching other craft. If resistance is expected then foam Þ lled tubes backed up with ballistic protection may be required. A proven performance hull can be utilized for various applications. Our designers simply re-conÞ gure the layout and onboard VESSEL DESIGNFor military and security applications, the next generation of RHIBs and HSC will need to be larger, faster, multi-role craft with the same navigation, communication and information systems that are found on a ship?s bridge. Many fast craft will include modular design features that allow them to vary their internal and deck layouts for different mission proÞ les or as their role changes over time. www.marinelink.com MN 29MN June14 Layout 18-31.indd 29MN June14 Layout 18-31.indd 295/20/2014 10:32:32 AM5/20/2014 10:32:32 AM