Surfboats
Surfboats were used for near shore rescues
They were kept at Life Saving Stations along the coasts
They were on trailers and were hand hauled from the boat house to the water
Some stations had horses to draw the trailers
Later, some even had tractors
The original boats were modified whale boats
Each area of the country developed their own design of surfboat
Eventually the Life Saving Service standardized the boats as much as possible
The surfboats were originally powered by manned oars
They were originally not self-bailing or self-righting
These features were gradually introduced, as were gasoline engines
The surfboat was the main rescue device well into the late 1800s
Class | Number | Year | Comments | Pix | Model |
30′ Raymond Nantucket Whaleboat |
1791 | The first lifesaving station in the US Operated by the Massachusetts Humane Society at Cohasset Designed by William Raymond Manned by 12 men and capable of carrying 20 survivors |
Yes | Yes | |
Jersey Type Pulling Surfboat |
1871 | First “standard” pulling surfboat adopted by the USLSS From 25′ to 27′ with 6 thwarts for 10 oars, double banked Clinker built – No sailing rig Based on square sterned fishing boats in use along the Jersey coast Neither self-righting nor self-bailing Versions included the “Squan” and “Long Branch” |
Yes | ||
26′ Monomoy Type Pulling/Sailing Surfboat |
Originated on Monomoy Island off Cape Cod Either 23′ or 26′ with 4 thwarts for 8 oars, double banked Clinker built – Sprit sailing rig with jib and mainsail Neither self-righting nor self-bailing Capable of holding 14 survivors Note that 26′ Monomoy surfboat was built with a carvel hull and used as the standard cutter boat |
Yes | |||
24’6″ Race Point Type Pulling/Sailing Surfboat |
Originated at Race Point, Cape Cod 24’6″ with 5 thwarts for 5 oars, single banked (alternating sides) Clinker built – Sprit sailing rig with jib and mainsail Neither self-righting nor self-bailing Capable of holding 10 survivors |
Yes | |||
27′ Higgins and Gifford Pulling Surfboat |
Designed and built at Higgins and Gifford Boatyard in Gloucester 27′ with 5 thwarts for 10 oars, double banked Carvel built Neither self-bailing nor self-righting |
Yes | |||
27′ Beebe Type Pulling Surfboat |
Designed by Frederick Beebe 27’4″ with 5 thwarts for 10 oars, double banked Clinker built – No sailing rig Neither self-righting nor self-bailing |
Yes | |||
26′ Beebe-McLellan Type Pulling/Sailing Surfboat |
Designed by LT McLellan, USRM, and Frederick Beebe Replaced all previous designs 26′ with 3 or 4 thwarts for 6 or 8 oars, double banked Clinker built – Sprit sailing rig with jib and sprit sail Self bailing but not self-righting |
Yes | |||
27′ Beebe Type Motor Surfboat |
27′ Beebe pulling boats converted by adding a 12 hp gasoline engine Capable of about 8 knots |
Yes | |||
26′ Beebe-McLellan Type Motor Surfboat |
One 26′ pulling boat was converted as an experiment Almost all others were built new with the engine |
Yes |
Lifeboats
Lifeboats were the companions to the surfboats
They were self-bailable and self-rightable and much heavier
They were generally kept in the water so they were faster to launch
But they were not easily used on large sandy beaches where piers could not be built
The original boat was a borrowed British boat
Soon US designs evolved and the LSS quickly standardized them
Lifeboats are still in use today
Class | Number | Year | Comments | Pix | Model |
English Lifeboat | 1873 | Evaluated by the LSS and used throughout the country until US-built boats were available |
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26′ Merryman Type Pulling/Sailing Lifeboat |
Designed by Capt. J.H. Merryman, USRM 26’8″ with 4 thwarts for 8 oars, double banked Standing lug or sprit sailing rig |
Yes | |||
Dobbins Type Pulling Lifeboat |
1878 | Designed by David Dobbins, Superintendent, 9th LSS District 24′ to 32′ with 4 thwarts for 8 oars, double banked – no sailing rig |
Yes | ||
34′ Merryman Type Pulling/Sailing Lifeboat |
1890 | Larger version of the 26′ Merryman with 5 thwarts for 10 oars, double banked Two masted sailing rig with jib, spritsail, and mainsail |
Yes | ||
34′ Converted Merryman Type Motor Lifeboat |
26 | 1899 | LT McLellan fitted a gasoline engine in the stern of a Lake Superior Merryman lifeboat Capable of about 7 knots and a range of 275 nautical miles Retained the oars and sailing rig Experiment was successful and 25 more boats were converted New boats currently in design/production were redesigned to incorporate the motor |
Yes | |
36′ McLellan Type E Motor Lifeboat |
46 | 1908 | First US lifeboat designed from the beginning to incorporate a motor in the stern Designed by now-CAPT McLellan, USRM Capable of about 10 knots Not capable of being rowed but retained the two sailing masts for emergency use The boats were named in addition to numbered – the only MLBs so honored Remained the standard motor lifeboat until replaced by the Type H in 1919 |
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36′ Hunnewell Type H Motor Lifeboat |
76 | 1919 | First motor lifeboat designed by the Coast Guard The Coast Guard centralized all small boat construction at the depot at Arundel Cove which is now called the Coast Guard Yard at Curtis Bay Incorporated several improvements to the Type E boats Engine moved to amidships and rudder moved forward of tiller Retained the oars and sails Capable of 9 knots Remained in service until replaced by the Type T in 1929 |
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36′ Hansen Type T Motor Lifeboat |
27 | 1928 | Incorporated improvements to the Type H Partially enclosed cockpit Capable of 9 knots and a range of 280 nautical miles |
CGH | |
36′ Type TR Motor Lifeboat |
72 | 1931 | Modified Type T TR = Type T, Revised |
CGH CGP |
|
52′ Wooden Hull Motor Lifeboat |
2 | 1935 | Stationed in the Pacific Northwest Named Invincible and Triumph Invincible was transferred to the Navy in 1967 Triumph was lost in a rescue attempt in 1961 |
CGH CGAA |
Yes |
36′ Type TRS Motor Lifeboat |
130 | 1937 | Modified Type TR TRS = Type T, Revised, Simplified The last Type TRS was retired in 1987 |
CGH CGP |
Yes |
52′ Steel Hull Motor Lifeboat |
4 | 1956 | Designed to replace the wooden hulled 52s Victory, Invincible, Triumph II, and Intrepid Still in service |
CGH CGP |
|
44′ Motor Lifeboat | 110 | 1963 | Probably one of the most legendary boats to serve coastal SAR in the US Built at the Coast Guard Yard in Curtis Bay, MD Capable of 14 knots with a 164 nautical mile range Coast Guard crews speak of the 44 with reverence in their voice Adopted by at least 10 other nations as their primary SAR boat CG 44301 was the last 44 in service – Retired from Chatham in 2010 |
CGH CGP |
Yes |
47′ Motor Lifeboat | 100 | 1991 | Designed to replace the venerable but aging 44 Current near shore SAR boat Capable of 23 knots Can operate in 20 foot seas and 20 foot surf |
CGH CGH CGAA |
Yes |
Utility Boats
The Coast Guard has used a variety of small boats for a variety of missions
Originally called launches, they are now referred to as utility boats
One was an air cushion vehicle that was evaluated but not accepted for service
This is NOT a complete list of every UTB used by the Coast Guard
Considering all of the one-of-a-kind acquisitions, that list would be huge
Class | Number | Year | Comments | Pictures | Model |
36′ Picket Boat | 103 | 1925 | Built to enforce Prohibition Built as either single cabin or double cabin Out of service after WWII – Replaced by the 40 foot UTB |
CGH | |
38′ Picket Boat | 500+ | 1920 | Built to enforce Prohibition Sturdier than the smaller 36s Direct forerunner to the 41s |
CGP | Yes |
30′ Utility Boat | 1950 | Replaced the aging 36′ Picket Boats in inland/near shore waters Built at the Coast Guard Yard in Curtis Bay, MD Steel hulls Served into the 70s – Replaced by the 41′ UTB |
CGP | Yes | |
40′ Utility Boat (40-Boats) | 331 | 1950 | Replaced the aging 38′ Picket Boats and 30′ Motor Rescue Boats Built at the Coast Guard Yard in Curtis Bay, MD Early boats were wood, most were steel, the last ones were fiberglass Capable of 20 knots with a range of 380 miles in moderate seas The Mark IV was capable of carrying 20 survivors or 5,000 lbs. of cargo Served into the late 1970s – Replaced by the 41′ UTB |
CGH CGP |
Yes |
38′ Air Cushion Vehicle | 3 | 1970 | Evaluated for use – not accepted into service | CGH CGP CGAA |
|
31′ Port Security Boat | 28 | 1970 | Built at the Coast Guard yard in Curtis Bay Fiberglass construction Equipped with a 250 gal/min fire pump |
CGH CGP |
|
27′ Presidential Security Boat | 1970 | Built for speed and fire power | CGP | ||
41′ UTB | 156 | 1973 | Replaced the aging 30 and 40 boats Built at the Coast Guard Yard in Curtis Bay, MD Capable of 26 knots and operating in heavy seas Proved to be a rugged utility boat for all but fast law enforcement Currently showing their age- limited to 8′ waves and 30 knot winds Being replaced by the 25′ |
CGH CGH CGP |
Yes |
32′ Ports and Waterways Boat | 50 | 1976 | Built in response to the Port and Waterways Act of 1973 Fiberglass construction Built for firefighting and pollution investigation Out of service by 2000 |
CGP | |
43′ Coastal Interceptor | 5 | 1987 | Designed as a high speed law enforcement boat Not very fuel efficient Retired by 2000 |
CGH | |
25′ Transportable Port Security Boat | 1997 | Capable of 40 knots | CGH | ||
25′ Defender Class | 457 | 2002 | Developed in response to the need for Homeland Security assets after 9/11 Capable of 45 knots and highly maneuverable Can survive in 10 foot seas |
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45′ Response Boat Medium | 180 | 2008 | Replaced the 41s |
Surf Rescue Boats
Stationed ashore
Driven into surf for near shore rescues
Class | Number | Year | Comments | Pictures | Model |
38′ DUKW | 1944 | Built for the Army in WWII for amphibious warfare Coast Guard used them in heavy surf and for flood relief Additional units built in CG Yard Suffered from high maintenance costs All units disposed of by 1970 |
CGH CGP CGAA |
Yes | |
35′ Land Amphibious Rescue Craft (LARC) |
27 | 1963 | Designed for the Army as a replacement for the WWII era DUKWs 35 mph on land and 9 knots underway Could handle 10 foot surf and climb a 60 percent grade Extremely high maintenance limited their use Out of service by the 1980s |
CGH CGP CGAA |
|
26′ Motor Surfboat | 117 | 1969 | Shore-stationed version of the 26′ shipboard MSB Development of the 30′ Surf Rescue Boat was behind schedule As a temporary measure, 17 cutter-based MSBs were modifies with cabins They served until the SRBs were in service |
CGH | Yes |
30′ Surf Rescue Boat | 20 | 1986 | Designed for near shore SAR in heavy seas and surf | CGH CGAA |
Cutter Boats
The Coast Guard has always carried small boats on cutters for rescues and boardings
Note that there are no “lifeboats” on Coast Guard Cutters
The Monomoy surfboat filled the role until the 60s
The 26′ Motor Surf Boat replaced it and stayed around until 2000
Class | Number | Year | Comments | Pictures | Model |
26′ Monomoy Type Pulling/Sailing Surfboat | 26′ Monomoy shore side surfboat built with a carvel hull and used as the standard cutter boat |
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26′ Motor Surfboat | 206 | 1960 | Replaced the 26′ pulling Monomoy surfboat | CGAA | Yes |
21′ Over-the-Horizon Boat | 2008 | Cutter boats | |||
36′ Long Range Interceptor | 2008 | Cutter boats | |||
25′ Short Range Prosecutor | 2008 | Cutter boats |