Safe Boats to build coastal interceptor vessels for US Customs and Border Protection

The US Department of Homeland Security, Customs and Border Protection (CBP) has awarded a contract to Safe Boats International for construction of coastal interceptor vessels (CIV).

Valued at more than $48m, if all options are exercised, the contract covers supply of up to 52 CIVs to help address the Department of Homeland Security’s (DHS) emerging mission requirements.

Safe Boats International president and CEO Dennis Morris said: "We understand how critical their mission is and believe that the SAFE Boats CIV will insure effective mission execution for years to come."

Safe Boats CIV is a 41′ rugged and highly manoeuvrable vessel, and can perform high speed interceptions and ultra-tight turns in close proximity to other vessels as well as open ocean speeds at more than 54k.

A variant of the Safe 41 Center Console-Offshore, the CIV is specifically configured to provide CBP Marine Interdiction Agents with a safe working platform with enhanced performance, sea keeping and mission capabilities.

In addition, the vessel can be adapted for a range of mission operations, including pursuing suspect vessels for the purpose of boarding, searching and, when necessary, arresting violators, seizing the suspect vessel and contraband.

The Safe 41 Center Console-Offshore is a reliable and proven commercially available Interceptor design, and is currently operational with the Royal Bahamian Police, Colombian Navy and a number of private owners.

With the award of CIV, the company is currently delivering three major US Federal programmes including the US Coast Guard Over-the-Horizon and the US Navy Mk VI High Speed Patrol Boat.

Production under the contract will start with immediate effect, while the delivery schedule remains undisclosed.

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Image: The specifically configured CIV provides Customs and Border Protection Marine Interdiction Agents with a safe working platform with enhanced performance, sea keeping and mission capabilities. Photo: courtesy of SAFE Boats International, LLC.