U.S. Coast Guard contracts homeland security response boats

The U.S. Coast Guard has awarded a contract of up to $10 million to SAFE Boats International of Port Orchard, WA for ports and waterways response boats.

The initial order is for 18 boats with an option of procuring additional craft and essential spare parts over the next 18 months.

“The Coast Guard is currently operating the largest port security program since World War II alongside other federal, state and local agencies. At this critical time in our nation’s history, this contract award will ensure that the Coast Guard has the resources to get the job done,” said Secretary of Transportation Norman Y. Mineta.

The response boats will be deployed to Coast Guard stations throughout the United States and will be used by the new Coast Guard Maritime Safety and Security Teams, which will provide specialized homeland security capabilities in key economic and militarily strategic ports.

The Coast Guard Maritime Safety and Security Teams (MSSTs) are domestic, mobile units that possess specialized training and capabilities to perform a broad spectrum of port safety and security operations.