The UAE Coast Guard recently took delivery of two rigid inflatable boats (RIBs) in a series manufactured by local boatbuilder Asis Boats.
The new 9.5-metre-long boats have a range of features that make them ideal for coast guard missions requiring fast response times. The hull and deck are made from laminated FRP with extra reinforcement for added strength. The tubes are made from Hypalon and are filled with PE foam, providing excellent buoyancy and impact resistance.
Power for each boat is provided by two Mercury Verado V8 outboard engines that each produce 300 hp (223 kW). The communications gear consists of equipment from Tetra Radio, which the UAE Coast Guard specified for installation on the boats, as well as a Garmin VHF radio. Garmin also supplied the boats' radars and moving map displays.
Four Ullman Dynamics suspension seats are provided for the two crewmembers – coxswain and radio operator/navigator – and two additional personnel, though the space on each RIB can accommodate additional personnel or light cargo if required.
The two new RIBs join eight earlier Asis-built boats in UAE Coast Guard service.
| 9.5-metre Coast Guard Boats | |
| SPECIFICATIONS | |
| Type of vessel: | RIB – Coast guard |
| Owner: | UAE Coast Guard |
| Builder: | Asis Boats, UAE |
| Hull construction material: | FRP |
| Deck construction material: | FRP |
| Length overall: | 9.5 metres |
| Main engines: | 2 x Mercury Verado outboards, each 300 hp (223 kW) |
| Radar: | Garmin |
| Radios: | Tetra; Garmin VHF |
| Other electronics: | Garmin displays |
| Seating: | 4 x Ullman Dynamics |
| Crew: | 2 |
| Passengers: | 2 |
| Operational area: | UAE |