Page 20: of Maritime Reporter Magazine (October 1995)

TEXTRON Marine & Land Wins $26.6 Million USCG Contract

JL

US.

With options, contract could total 140 boats, $165 million

Textron was awarded the initial contract for the construction of twenty 47-ft. (14.3-m) Motor Life- boats (MLB) for the U.S. Coast

Guard (USCG). The contract is valued at $26.6 million and includes associated training, spares and other incidentals. The new MLB significantly enhances the USCG's ability to perform search and res- cue operations in heavy weather. "This is a great victory for Textron

Marine & Land Systems, our em- ployees, and our community," said

John J. Kelly, president of

Textron. "We are proud to be able to produce this technical innova- tion with its significant humanitar- 22 ian implications for marine safety at sea. Further, there is a strong international interest in this unique design."

Textron Marine & Land Systems designed and manufactured the prototype 47-ft. MLB in 1990 and later won a contract for the five pre-production boats. During the pre-production phase of the pro- gram, the company made signifi- cant investments to develop inno- vative engineering solutions and initial manufacturing processes for the prototype and five pre-produc- tion craft.

The latest contract for the con- struction of the MLBs was won competitively under a full and open competition. Following construc- tion of the initial 20 vessels, the

USCG plans to exercise options for up to 120 additional craft. The contract value, will all options, is approximately $165 million.

Packed with technological advances

The 47-ft. MLB design incorpo- rates many technological innova- tions. It features a lightweight, rugged aluminum hull designed to withstand 20-ft. (6.1-m) breaking waves at three times the force of gravity. The vessel is fast — sport- ing a top speed of 25 knots — which provides for faster response times in life-threatening situations. The

MLB also has a self-righting capa- bility which enables it to pitch-pole or role into swells and self-right in less than 30 seconds. The crew can operate from an open bridge or an enclosed bridge in heavy weather, for added safety and better visibil- ity. Headquartered in New Or- leans, Textron Marine & Land Sys- tems will do all of the manufactur- ing work at its facility in New Or- leans East. Work is scheduled to begin in the third quarter of 1995, and delivery of the first craft should commence in late 1996.

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