Grand Isle First to Receive New Toy

[unhappycamper]

Grand Isle First to Receive New Toy
November 17, 2008
U.S. Coast Guard|by PA3 Tom Atkeson

NEW ORLEANS - Coast Guard Station Grand Isle, La., was the first unit in the Eighth Coast Guard District to receive a new shallow water response vessel.

The new 23-foot Special Purpose Craft - Shallow Water (SPC-SW), has an 18-inch draft, and is outfitted with two 150-horsepower engines and is capable of speeds of up to 45-mph. The engines are mounted on a jack plate, which allows the operator to raise and lower the engines to avoid damaging the engines and propellers while operating in shallow water.

"The shallow water boat will enhance our operational capability by allowing us to access shallow waterways and bayous in our area of responsibility that we were not able to prior to receiving the shallow water boat," said Lt. James Bendle, commanding officer of Station Grand Isle.

Other features include: trim tabs, a Very High Frequency (VHF) radio, Ultra high frequency radio, radar and GPS chart plotter and shock mitigating seats.

Three SPC-SW's have been delivered to the Coast Guard by Metal Shark Boats, LLC of Jeanerette, La.


Article at: http://www.military.com/news/article/coast-guard-news/grand-isle-first-to-receive-new-toy.html



uhc comment: Metal Shark Boats has a contract to deliver 54 of these for $6,100,000.