SAFE Boats delivers RB-S Demonstrator to Charleston Coast Guard

SAFE Boats International (SBI) said it has delivered its Response Boat–Small (RB-S) Demonstrator unit to the Coast Guard in Charleston, S.C., for the service's evaluation of next-generation capabilities for one of its most critical and widely deployed platforms.

 The 32’4.5” x 8’6” vessel has a 28-knot cruising speed/top speed of 49 knots, powered by twin 300hp V10 Mercury Verado outboard engines. 

“The delivery of this RB-S Demonstrator underscores SAFE Boats’ ability to move quickly, listen closely, and deliver a highly capable platform built around the realities of Coast Guard operations,” said Rob Goley, chief revenue & customer officer at SAFE Boats International. “Our employee-owners, many of whom are veterans and former operators, bring firsthand experience to every stage of design and construction. That perspective ensures we are not just building boats but delivering mission-ready tools that prioritize crew safety, comfort, and operational effectiveness.”

The RB-S Demonstrator features a full foam collar system constructed from closed-cell polyethylene foam encapsulated in a durable polyurethane membrane, eliminating the need for inflation, reducing maintenance, and enhancing long-term reliability. Beyond durability, the collar plays a critical role in vessel stability, performance, and crew safety in dynamic maritime environments.

 Additional performance innovations include enhanced performance fins for increased lift and superior cornering, as well as a stepped transom hull design that allows engines to be mounted higher reducing drag and increasing speed and fuel efficiency. A proprietary “speed shoe” integrated into the keel further enhances hydrodynamic efficiency.

 SAFE Boats’ aluminum hull is engineered with air- and watertight integrity and undergoes pressure testing to prevent water intrusion. A self-bailing deck and concave lifting strakes contribute to improved handling and seaworthiness in challenging conditions.

 Crew safety and comfort are central to the vessel’s design. The onboard air conditioning system allows simultaneous operation of heating and air conditioning, enabling independent control of temperature, airflow, and defogging, critical for maintaining visibility and reducing fatigue in all weather conditions. Shock-mitigating SHOXS seating further enhances crew endurance during high-speed operations.

The vessel also features modular MOLLE panel systems for mission-configurable storage, overhead-mounted visibility windows for enhanced situational awareness, and the Intelligent Marine Assistance System (IMAS) by Hefring Marine, an advanced technology platform that improves operational safety, efficiency, and survivability through real-time data and guidance. 

“This platform is the result of thoughtful design and disciplined execution by more than 300 employee-owners committed to building boats that perform when it matters most,” said Goley. “From hull design to onboard systems, every detail reflects our focus on protecting the crew and enhancing mission capability.”

The RB-S Demonstrator program brings together multiple industry partners to support the Coast Guard’s evaluation of future vessel designs. SAFE Boats’ entry is among four contracts totaling about $3.6 million the Coast Guard awarded Jan. 8 to acquire demonstration boats that will be used to inform future boat acquisitions.

The contracts were awarded to SAFE Boats; Birdon America Inc., Denver; Gravois Aluminum Boats LLC, doing business as Metal Shark, Jeanerette, La.; and Inventech Marine Solutions, Bremerton, Wash.

Under the contracts, each company will deliver one Response Boat-Small (RB-S) demonstrator boat within three months. The boats are intended to help the Coast Guard develop and validate performance requirements, assess industry capabilities, and gather information about the current marketplace, the agency said, noting data collected from operating the boats will be used to guide future acquisition decisions.

The Coast Guard's RB-S boats support a wide range of missions, including drug interdiction, migrant interdiction, search and rescue, law enforcement, living marine resources protection, defense readiness, aids to navigation, and ports, waterways, and coastal security operations.