USCG to receive four additional LRI-II cutter boats

The US Coast Guard (USCG) has awarded a contract to MetalCraft Marine to develop and deliver four long range interceptor (LRI)-II cutter boats.

The $3.973m contract has been awarded as part of a five-year production contract placed to MetalCraft Marine U.S. in June 2012 to produce the LRI-II.

The contract, which has a potential total value of up to $10.2m, also involves options for production of up to 10 boats for the US Coast Guard foe deployment aboard the National Security Cutters (NSC).

Testing of the first LRI-II boat commenced following its delivery to the USCG on 20 February 2013.

Prior to full-rate production approval in June 2013, the LRI-II project successfully completed operational and interface testing with Coast Guard cutter Bertholf.

Capable of carrying up to 15 passengers, including crew, and safely operate in seas up to 13ft, the 35ft-long stern-launched LRI-II has a range of over 220nm and can cruise at a speed in excess of 38k.

The LRI-II’s high speed and extended range feature is expected to improve ability to execute missions for the host cutter while underway, particularly in migrant interdiction and law enforcement operations.

Image: A US Coast Guard’s cutter during its mission at sea. Photo: U.S. Coast Guard photo.