Metal Shark delivers high-performance RBS III demonstrator

Photo: Metal Shark Boats

Jeanerette, La.-headquartered Metal Shark Boats has delivered its Response Boat Small (RBS) III demonstrator to the U.S. Coast Guard, completing development and delivery within months of contract award.

Metal Shark, which is the designer and builder of the current USCG RBS fleet, was one of four companies selected in January 2026 to provide prototype platforms under the Coast Guard’s RBS III demonstration program. The company says that the accelerated delivery of the demonstrator underscores its ability to execute at speed, translating operational requirements into fully integrated, mission-ready platforms on aggressive timelines.

The vessel is now undergoing evaluation and testing by the Coast Guard in Charleston, South Carolina.

The RBS III demonstrator is based on Metal Shark’s high-performance 29-foot Fearless platform, configured specifically for the Coast Guard’s response mission with a focus on performance, control, crew comfort and effectiveness, and safety.

Key features include:

• Patented “Stepped ‘V’ Ventilated Tunnel” running surface by Michael Peters Yacht Design, delivering unsurpassed speed, handling, and sea-keeping
• Twin Mercury Verado 300 HP outboard engines with joystick docking control
• Shockwave SXmax seats with 3-axis damping to reduce crew fatigue in high-speed operations
• Seakeeper Ride active ride control system
• SAVOX communication system with six-station wireless intercom
• Starlink onboard connectivity
• Advanced lithium-powered HVAC system delivering all-day cooling without generator or seawater cooling
• Enclosed pilothouse with reversed-raked windshield, offering optimized visibility and ergonomics
• Forward sliding glass doors by Advantec enable improved access, communication, and mission flexibility
• Custom “Trimline” urethane-sheathed foam-filled collar by WING
• Custom trailer by Evolution Trailers

Metal Shark says that its RBS III effort reflects a disciplined, production-focused approach: proven hull architecture, modernized onboard systems, and rapid integration into a cohesive, operational platform.

Testing of the RBS III demonstrator will inform the Coast Guard’s path forward as it defines requirements for its next generation of response boats. Metal Shark’s delivery demonstrates the company’s agility, reliability, and ability to execute.