MetalCraft Marine delivers high performance patrol RIB duo
Written by Nick BlenkeyMetalCraft Marine reports that its U.S. yard in Watertown, N.Y., has just delivered two of its 34 foot high performance patrol RIBs to the Mississippi Department of Natural Resources Police.
The boats will be used in the coastal bay areas and offshore checking on commercial and sport fishing compliance.
The boats can reach 64 MPH with their triple Suzuki 300 HP outboards. The Interceptor hulls are noted for their “Soft Dry Ride.” The hull has a very fine entry which makes the boat very quiet and easily parts the waves.
As can be seen from the photographs, the boat has a very robust T-top and supporting structure, which is designed to ISO 12215 Category B, (12-17 foot waves) and can obviously support the weight of a crewmember. The T-top is specifically designed to deflect radar, that along with the low hull profile will provide a low radar signature.
Below the T-top is an oversize gun locker that can hold rifles and side arms. There are four suspension seats for crew and the entire crew area can be enclosed with a Strata glass enclosure.
The electronics suite by Simrad has an open array high definition radar antenna, twin 12 inch displays, GPS and depth sounder. Radios are by Icom. Ahead of the console is a large walk-in head with space for toolkits and easy access to the dash and electrical panels and very neat wiring all meeting ABYC standards.
The boat has wide side decks and is very stable for boarding, there is recessed lighting under the gunwale side decks. The RIB collar is a Wing Inflatables heavy duty welded polyurethane foam collar with rip stop fabric. The bow is covered by a robust Push Knee box with integral boarding step and portable safety railing.
The push knees have twin 4.5 inch D-rubber fenders and provide superior protection for the collar and boat. The Wing collar also has a removable dive door built into the starboard side. The boat’s stability is calculated to ISO 12217 Category B.