USCG receives Cutter Boat-Over the Horizon-IV Polar from SBI

The US Coast Guard (USCG) has taken delivery of the Cutter Boat-Over the Horizon-IV (CB-OTH-IV) Polar from SAFE Boats International (SBI) for the 420ft ice breaker, USCG Cutter Healy.

The delivery follows USCG’s request to maintain a polar presence due to an increase in commerce and traffic in the Arctic and Antarctic.

The CB-OTH-IV Polar has been designed to provide support cutter missions in open water and operates as a critical support craft with a mission scope of law enforcement, security, search and rescue, and environmental protection of natural resources.

Safe Boats International CEO Dennis Morris said, "We are very pleased to continue our long history of partnership with the U.S. Coast Guard in providing them a new platform that will allow the women and men serving on forward deployed ice breakers to better accomplish their mission."

The CB-OTH-IV Polar features modified outfit package which is different from the standard 26ft CB-OTH-IV parent craft but maintains the ability to interface with the national security fast response cutters.

Additional features of the CB-OTH-IV Polar include a reinforced hull, SBI’s patented collar system, 480hp inboard diesel engine with a water jet, tactical communications equipment and unique lifting accommodations for launch and recovery to allow it to operate in harsh conditions.