COMDTINST 16114.20
for a heavy weather, offshore boat. This larger, more dispersed MLB fleet provides a
substantial "anchor to windward" for the shore-based response boat force overall and is a
solid basis for building the force into an integrated system.
d. Building upon the capabilities and siting of the 47' MLB, we will continue structuring an
efficient and effective shore-based response boat system. Retirement of the 41' UTB fleet,
the Coast Guard's day-to-day workhorse, must begin within the next five years. The
Response Boat Medium (RB-M), which will replace it, will be designed and procured
based upon the needs of the shore-based response boat system in light of the capabilities and
siting of the 47' MLB fleet.
e. Additionally, there is a well-recognized need to standardize the approximately 400 non-
standard shore-based response boats now in operation to reduce required training and provide
economies of scale in both acquisition and support. These boats are important to provide
multiple boats on missions when required, and more efficient platforms for lower risk and
less demanding missions. While most district commanders have made substantial efforts to
standardize within their Areas of Responsibility (AOR), there is a consensus that a system of
standard boats could fill the overwhelming majority of operational requirements service-
wide. Development of a standard Response Boat Small (RB-S) will be an efficient and
economical way to supplement the capabilities of MLBs and RB-Ms, and ensure the shore-
based response boat system meets mission demands. Only in the most unique situations will
special purpose craft (SPC) be approved by Commandant.
f. Properly structuring and implementing a coherent, systemized shore-based response boat
system is crucial to properly managing workload for our station crews. Implementation of
the plan will not only reduce boat maintenance and training requirements, but will also
greatly reduce instances of boats that greatly exceed or fail to meet unit requirements and
unnecessarily increase the crew's workload.
7. POLICY.
a. This document describes the current boat force mix, desired future state of the Coast Guard
shore-based response boat force, as well as the transition plan to achieve this desired state.
Numbers indicated throughout this Instruction represent authorized or intended unit boat
allowances and not actual inventory counts. The Future boat force laydown envisioned by
this Instruction was developed using the Boat Operations Force Allocation Model, in
conjunction with multiple reviews by Area and district commanders. Decisions concerning
Coast Guard shore-based response boats shall be made using this plan to ensure non-standard
boat procurements and unit boat allowance change requests support the provisions and goals
stated herein. Section 1.d.(1)(b) of enclosure (1) supercedes boat procurement and
replacement guidance published in reference (b). Holders of reference (b) should file a copy
of this Instruction with it for ease of use and reference.
b. Ensuring sufficient flexibility to accommodate both micro changes (changes to individual
unit allowances) and macro changes (addition or deletion of service-wide mission areas) is
critical to the success of any long-term force allocation scheme. The asset distribution
outlined in this document is based upon existing requirements, historical databases, and
resulting trend projections. Enclosure (1) outlines the shore-based response boat force's
transition from the current force of multiple boat type designations filled by numerous and
varied boat models, to a future efficient force of only a few designated standard and non-
standard boat types and models. In addition to outlining Current Force boat type capabilities,
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