Response Boat-Medium (RB-M)

The Response Boat-Medium (RB-M) is a multi-mission patrol boat primarily used by the United States Coast Guard for search and rescue, law enforcement, and port security operations. It is a high-speed, agile vessel designed to replace the aging 41-foot Utility Boat fleet.

Developed in the early 2000s through a partnership between Marinette Marine and Kvichak Marine Industries, the RB-M was designed to provide a self-righting, all-aluminum vessel capable of operating in harsher sea conditions. The first production unit entered service in 2008 at Coast Guard Station Seattle, initiating a rapid rollout across the United States. Beyond domestic search and rescue and post-9/11 port security, the platform has been deployed for disaster relief during major hurricanes and exported to international partners, including Bahrain and Canada. With 174 hulls delivered by the conclusion of the program in 2015, the RB-M continues to serve as the backbone of the Coast Guard's shore-based station fleet.