New Rescue Boat to Begin Service in Bay Area

The Bay Area USCG's newest heavy surf rescue boat are the workhorses of search and rescue stations. The 47-ft. motor lifeboats' primary missions include search and rescue and law enforcement. The new MLB's are self-bailing and will return to an upright position in eight seconds or less if overturned. The boats are built to pass through heavy surf as high as 20 ft., and attempt rescues at sea in the most severe weather conditions. The new MLB's are gradually replacing the older, slower 44-ft. MLB's currently in service. The new boats can reach 25 knots in calm seas and 13 knots in 15-foot seas, twice as fast as the 44-footers. The boat is built by Textron Marine and Land Systems of New Orleans.