Page 30: of Marine News Magazine (April 2017)

29 31

WORKBOAT COMMUNICATIONS

Digital Marine Digital Marine

Communications:Communications:

Helping to Protect Our Borders

Edited by Joseph Keefe he U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) Air 1975, has expanded its product line by providing headsets and Marine Operations (AMO) is responsible for and systems for critical communications in the ? re/rescue, security and facilitation operations at 328 ports of airline ground support and two-way radio markets, and has

T entry throughout the United States. Missions include the a 15-year track record in supplying wired and wireless com- pursuit, boarding and searching of suspect vessels, seiz- munication systems for the marine industry.

ing vessels and contraband, and arresting violators. It is a dif? cult and dangerous job. To that end, CBP recently The Review Process selected SAFE Boats International to design and build a “We reviewed three vendor offerings for the CIV com- 41-foot Coastal Interceptor Vessel (CIV) that is up to the munication system and found the David Clark digital in- task. “The patrol boat market is really a specialty market,” tercom system was the best choice based on price, simplic- said Janice Willis, Vice President Program Management at ity and speci? cation equivalency,” said William Ledger,

SAFE Boats. She adds, “It’s not a market that a lot of alu- Program Vessel Project Engineer at SAFE Boats. Willis minum boat builders can compete in because of the high adds, “When we had the information back, we looked at performance requirements of the vessels.” the differences and evaluated them … looked for features

Among its many innovative features, the CIV utilizes an and bene? ts above and beyond what was requested.” advanced, stepped hull design that creates less friction on The decision to partner with David Clark was made after the hull surface, facilitating increased speed and fuel savings two months of rigorous Operation Testing and Evaluation for the boat’s powerful Quad Mercury 350 HP engines. by U.S. Customs on the prototype vessel. During this pe-

The vessel also boasts cutting-edge equipment from a myri- riod, every aspect of the CIV was put to the test – at speeds ad of ? rst class vendors. One such OEM ? rm, David Clark exceeding 54 knots. “The report encompassed all aspects of

Company, the crew-to-crew digital communication system. mission operations and contract performance speci? cation

David Clark Company, known for its “green dome” head- review. The David Clark Series 9100 intercom system met sets worn by private, commercial and military pilots since or exceeded performance requirements,” said Ledger.

Image above: The David Clark Series 9100 System provides single or multi-channel programming options for multiple users.

April 2017

MN 30