US Coast Guard Boat Goes Vertical During Fight With Extreme Waves

YouTube / The Daily Aviation

47’ MLBs

The US Coast Guard has three essential roles: maritime security, safety, and stewardship. In order to fulfill these roles, the service uses countless cutters, aircraft, and boats such as the 47ft Motor Lifeboat. 

This vessel is the Coast Guard’s primary heavy-weather boat and can withstand 60-knot gusts, 20ft waves, and three-G impacts. One of its most important distinctions is its ability to right itself in under ten seconds if it were to capsize. 

Instead of wheels, the four-man crew uses joysticks which can be operated from four stations thanks to its drive-by-wire technology.

These boats can attain 25 knots, carry 30 passengers, and reach 200 nautical miles thanks to their two 435hp Detroit Diesel DDEC-IV engines. Currently, the USCG has 227 of these MLBs in service today.