Enclosure (2) to COMDTINST 16114.20
Shore-Based Response Boat Capability Chart
Current Forces1
MLB2
OTHER 3
Descriptor
SRB
UTB
Environmental Limits (Upper)
Surf
20 FT
10 FT
None
None
Varies4
Seas
30 FT
10+ FT
8 FT
Varies4
Winds (Sustained)
50 KTs
40 KTs
30 KTs
Varies4
Offshore Distance
50 NM
6 NM
30 NM
Varies4
Towing Capacity
150 Tons
15 Tons
100 Tons
Speed Curves ( sea state)
Varies4
0 to 1 FT
25 KTs
31 KTs
26 KTs
Varies4
2 to 4 FT
24 KTs
-
19 KTs
Varies4
5 to 6 FT
21 KTs
-
15 KTs
Varies4
7 to 8 FT
16 KTs
-
12 KTs
Notes:
1
The table does not address the capabilities of skiffs, punts, or SPCs.
2
Capabilities of the 47'MLB are listed.
3
"OTHER" includes boats designated as UTM, RIBB, RIBM, UTL, RIBL
4
The environmental limitations of boats in the "OTHER" column are normally set by district commanders in
their respective SOPs, and are based on the manufacturer's recommendations and operator's experience.
Future Forces
Descriptor
MLB
NLB
RB-M
RB-S
Environmental Limits (Upper)
Surf
20 FT
10 FT
None
None
Seas
30 FT
20 FT
8 FT
4 FT
Winds
50 KTs
50 KTs
30 KTs
30 KT
Offshore Distance
50 NM
25 NM
50 NM
10 NM
Towing Capacity
150 Tons
40 Tons
40 Tons
10 Tons
Speed Curves ( sea state)
0 to 1 FT
25 KTs
30 KTs
35 KTs
35 KTs
2 to 4 FT
24 KTs
30 KTs
30 KTs
30 KTs
5 to 6 FT
21 KTs
25 KTs
23 KTs
-
7 to 8 FT
16 KTs
16 KTs
16 KTs
-
Notes:
The capabilities listed for NLB, RB-M and RB-S are preliminary. They are nearly identical to those capabilities
published in the August 1999 letters to all district commanders, which forwarded the original boat force mix
analysis. Any changes reflect a consensus of field commander input. These capabilities, however, remain
flexible. Their initial use was to assist in the analysis of SAR data to establish the correct number of and types
of hulls in boat force mix. Final boat capabilities will be based on further analysis (including field input) and, in
the end, will be set to meet the operational requirements of the boat.
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