U.S. Coast Guard Sector Lake Michigan will host a media day on Wednesday, at 10:00 a.m., to provide the opportunity for an up-close look at the Coast Guard's newest surface asset, the Response Boat-Medium (RB-M).

The RB-M is a self-righting, 45-foot all-aluminum boat with twin diesel engines and water jet propulsion.  The media will have an opportunity to learn about and ride the new boat.

"We're proud to be the first Great Lakes unit to receive this highly capable new asset.  The Coast Guard has a long history of service in Wisconsin, and the RB-M increases our capabilities to serve the boating public, and work with all our local, state, federal and private sector partners," said commander of Sector Lake Michigan, Capt. Bruce Jones.

Media interested in attending should contact Cmdr. Tracy Wannamaker at (414) 747-7183, or email at tracy.j.wannamaker@uscg.mil.  Appropriate dress for the weather is encouraged.

Coast Guard Station Milwaukee, who has continuously served area mariners since it was commissioned as U. S. Lifesaving Station Number 10 in 1878, will receive the boat.

In 2006, the Coast Guard awarded a contract for up to 250 RB-Ms to Marinette Marine Corporation (MMC) of Marinette, Wis.  RB-Ms are now being built by Kvichak Marine (a subcontractor of MMC) in Kent, Wash.   To increase production, MMC has initiated the opening of a second production facility in Green Bay, Wisc.

Station Milwaukee's RB-M is the fourth to be delivered to the Coast Guard.  Milwaukee was selected based on its wide range of missions, high operational tempo, and opportunity to test the boat in the full range of environmental conditions.

Designed to be multi-mission, the RB-M will operate around the country in coastal zones including shore, inland waterways and open ocean out to 50 nautical miles.

The RB-M will replace the aging 41-foot utility boats, which have been the workhorse of Coast Guard boat stations for more than a quarter of a century.

Improvements which the RB-M provides include a full cabin providing protection from the elements, a robust navigation system, heating and air conditioning, shock mitigating seats, and a communication system capable of communicating with other federal, state and local agencies. 

Coast Guard Station Milwaukee provides Search and Rescue, Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, Marine Environmental Protection and other missions in an 884 square mile area stretching from Wind Point, WI to just South of Port Washington, Wis., along 34 nautical miles of shoreline and out to the center of Lake Michigan. 

In a typical year, according to the station's officer-in-charge, Senior Chief Chris Purdy, the 22-man crew responds to 125 search and rescue missions, and enforces dozens of safety and security zones for special events along the waterfront. 

The Station works closely with the volunteer Coast Guard Auxiliary, the Milwaukee Police Department Harbor Patrol, the Milwaukee Fire Department marine unit, the Wisconsin DNR, and other local law enforcement agencies.     

"The RB-M brings a whole new level of technology to the Coast Guard's fleet of small boats," said Senior Chief Purdy. "I believe the RB-M will enable Coast Guard men and women to do their jobs more efficiently and more safely." 

Last Updated ( Tuesday, 28 October 2008 )