Coast Guard Unveils New Boats for Channel Islands Station

The U.S. Coast Guard stationed in the Channel Islands Harbor west of Malibu unveiled two new small boats to its fleet this week.

The station, which is located in nearby Oxnard, received a 45-foot medium response boat to replace an aging 41-foot utility boat, and a 29-foot small boat to retire a 25-foot boat, according to the Coast Guard.

The 45-foot boat boasts an improved design, new ergonomics and enhanced safety features.

The 29-foot boat, which is high-speed, is designed to operate year-round in shallow waters along coastal borders.  

As of mid-February, 115 out of the 166 RB-M’s the Coast Guard has ordered have been delivered with eight stationed in California.  Of the 38 RB-S II’s ordered, 29 have been delivered with five stationed in the state.

The new boats are part of the Coast Guard’s plan to standardize and revitalize its shore-based boat fleet.