 US Coast Guard Motor Life Boat CG-36535 off Nehalem River MLB Station, c. 1975 The Motor Life Boat (MLB) is an integral part of a Coast Guard fleet, built to withstand the most severe conditions at sea. Designed to be self-bailing, self-righting and practically unsinkable, lifeboats are used as a heavy weather surf rescue response platform. Image File history File links USCG MLB CG-36535 being put through the paces off Nehalem River MLB Station, c. ...
Image File history File links USCG MLB CG-36535 being put through the paces off Nehalem River MLB Station, c. ...
A coast guard is a national organization responsible for various services at sea. ...
A shelf cloud associated with a heavy or severe thunderstorm over Enschede, Netherlands A storm is any disturbed state of an astronomical bodys atmosphere, especially affecting its surface, and strongly implying severe weather. ...
Sea as seen from jetty in Frankston, Australia Look up maritime in Wiktionary, the free dictionary. ...
Severn class lifeboat in Poole Harbour, Dorset, England. ...
The United States Coast Guard (USCG) and the British and Irish Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI) have a long history with MLB's, from the early sail and oar driven lifeboats to the high speed modern MLBs introduced in the 1990s. The United States Coast Guard (USCG) is a branch of the United States armed forces involved in maritime law enforcement, mariner assistance, search and rescue, and national defense. ...
Swanage lifeboat being winched up its slipway The Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI) is a charity based in England dedicated to saving lives at sea around the coasts of Great Britain and Ireland. ...
Severn class lifeboat in Poole Harbour, Dorset, England. ...
MCMXC redirects here; for the Enigma album, see MCMXC a. ...
The sailors of the MLBs are called "surfmen", after the name given to the volunteers of the original United States Life Saving Service (USLSS). The United States Life-Saving Service was a Federal agency that grew out of private and local humanitarian efforts to save the lives of shipwrecked mariners and passengers. ...
Background
The first lifeboat is credited to Lionel Lukin, an Englishman who modified 20-foot Norwegian yawl in 1784 that was fitted with water-tight chambers filled with cork for additional buoyancy and a cast iron keel to make the boat self-righting. Severn class lifeboat in Poole Harbour, Dorset, England. ...
Lionel Lukin (May 18, 1742 - February 16, 1834, Hythe, Kent, England) is considered by many to have been the inventor of the lifeboat. ...
The English are an ethnic group and nation primarily associated with England and the English language. ...
1784 was a leap year starting on Thursday (see link for calendar). ...
In physics, buoyancy is the upward force on an object produced by the surrounding fluid (i. ...
General Name, Symbol, Number iron, Fe, 26 Chemical series transition metals Group, Period, Block 8, 4, d Appearance lustrous metallic with a grayish tinge Standard atomic weight 55. ...
These lifeboats were manned by 6 to 10 volunteers of organizations such as the USLSS and the RNLI who rowed out from shore when a ship was in distress and risked their lives in order to save the lives of the unfortunate souls on board. The United States Life-Saving Service was a Federal agency that grew out of private and local humanitarian efforts to save the lives of shipwrecked mariners and passengers. ...
Swanage lifeboat being winched up its slipway The Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI) is a charity based in England dedicated to saving lives at sea around the coasts of Great Britain and Ireland. ...
A two-cylinder 12 hp (9 kW) engine was fitted to a 34 foot (10 m) lifeboat in 1899 by Lake Shore Engine Company at the behest of the Marquette Life Saving Station on Lake Superior in Michigan. Its successful operation saw the introduction of the first Motor Life Boat and soon more and more lifeboat stations fitted their lifeboats with engines. This article or section does not adequately cite its references or sources. ...
Year 1899 (MDCCCXCIX) was a common year starting on Sunday (link will display the full calendar). ...
Lake Superior, bounded by Ontario and Minnesota to the north and Wisconsin and Michigan to the south, is the largest of North Americas Great Lakes. ...
Official language(s) None (English, de-facto) Capital Lansing Largest city Detroit Area Ranked 11th - Total 97,990 sq mi (253,793 km²) - Width 239 miles (385 km) - Length 491 miles (790 km) - % water 41. ...
While provisions for sails and rowing would remain onboard, by 1909, 44 boats would be fitted with engines and power increased to 40 hp. The USLSS and the Revenue Cutter Service would merge in 1915 to form the United States Coast Guard as early predecessors of the 36 MLB would begin to take shape. 1909 (MCMIX) was a common year starting on Friday (see link for calendar). ...
The United States Revenue Cutter Service was established by Secretary of the Treasury Alexander Hamilton in 1790 as an armed maritime law enforcement service. ...
1915 (MCMXV) was a common year starting on Friday (link will display the full calendar). ...
Early motor life boats
 | | 44 Motor Life Boat | | First built: | 1962 | | Last built: | 1972 | | Number built: | 110 by USCG, 52 under license | | Builder: | Coast Guard Yard, Curtis Bay, Baltimore, MD | | General Characteristics | | Displacement: | 18,500 lb (8400 kg) | | Length: | 44 ft 1 1/2 inches (13.4 m) | | Beam: | 12 ft 8 in (3.8 m) | | Hull: | 3/16 Corten Steel | | Propulsion: | Two Detroit diesel 6v-53 185 horse power (153 to 186 kW) GM | | Speed: | 14 knots (29 km/h) | | Range: | 190 nautical miles (350 km) | | Righting capability: | Rollover in 8-15 seconds | | Complement: | 4 crew | The 36 foot T model was introduced in 1929. At 36 ft 10 in length overall, 10 ft 9 in beam and with a two-ton lead keel, she was powered by a 90 hp (67 kW) Sterling gas engine and had a speed of nine knots (17 km/h). From the early days of the 20th century the 36 MLB was the mainstay of coastal rescue operations for over 30 years until the 44 MLB was introduced in 1962. Image File history File links US Coast Guard Motor Life Boat CG-44381 at the National Motor Life Boat School, Cape Disapointment, WA. For further information regarding use of images from the US Coast Guard, their website can be found here. ...
1962 (MCMLXII) was a common year starting on Monday (the link is to a full 1962 calendar). ...
1972 (MCMLXXII) was a leap year starting on Saturday. ...
Nickname: Monument City, Charm City, Mob Town[1][2], B-more Motto: The Greatest City in America,[3] Get in on it. ...
Official language(s) None (English, de facto) Capital Annapolis Largest city Baltimore Area Ranked 42nd - Total 12,417 sq mi (32,160 km²) - Width 90 miles (145 km) - Length 249 miles (400 km) - % water 21 - Latitude 37°53N to 39°43N - Longitude 75°4W to 79°33...
General Motors Corporation (NYSE: GM), also known as GM, is an American automobile maker with worldwide operations and brands including Buick, Cadillac, Chevrolet, GMC, Holden, Hummer, Opel, Pontiac, Saturn, Saab and Vauxhall. ...
1929 (MCMXXIX) was a common year starting on Tuesday (link will take you to calendar). ...
A knot is a unit of speed, abbreviated kt or kn. ...
1962 (MCMLXII) was a common year starting on Monday (the link is to a full 1962 calendar). ...
Built at the Coast Guard Yard in Curtis Bay, Maryland, 218 36 T, TR and TRS MLB's were built between 1929 to 1956. Based on a hull design from the 1880s, the 36 TRS and her predecessors remain the longest active hull design in the Coast Guard, serving the Coast Guard and the Life Saving Services faithfully for almost 100 years, the last one, CG-36535, serving Depoe Bay MLB Station in Oregon until 1987. 1929 (MCMXXIX) was a common year starting on Tuesday (link will take you to calendar). ...
1956 (MCMLVI) was a leap year starting on Sunday of the Gregorian calendar. ...
Year 1880 (MDCCCLXXX) was a leap year starting on Thursday (link will display the full calendar). ...
Depoe Bay is a city located in Lincoln County, Oregon. ...
Official language(s) None Capital Salem Largest city Portland Area Ranked 9th - Total 98,466 sq mi (255,026 km²) - Width 260 miles (420 km) - Length 360 miles (580 km) - % water 2. ...
1987 (MCMLXXXVII) was a common year starting on Thursday of the Gregorian calendar. ...
The crews manning these boats typically had experience on local waters and had leadership from seasoned veterans whose boat handling skills were passed on directly to each new crewmember.
Localized training conducted at each unit allowed these crews to share their experiences and techniques. During the 1960s the Coast Guard replaced the 36-foot (11 m) MLB with the newly designed 44 foot (13 m) boat. These steel-hulled boats were more capable and more complicated than the wooden lifeboats they replaced.
While some coxswains resisted the new boat, holding on to their old 36s for as long as possible, claiming her canoe stern and aft cockpit to be favorable to the rounded stern and center helm station of the 44s, the 44 design is still in use today as many decommissioned models have been transferred to foreign maritime services. The coxswain (pronounced cox-ən; often called the cox) is the person in charge of a boat, particularly its navigation and steering. ...
Designed to return to an upright position in 8 to 15 seconds and with twin GM Diesel engines making 14 knots, she was bigger, faster and stronger than her wooden predecessors. Gold Lifesaving Medal recipient Boatswain's Mate First Class Bernie Webber who rescued 32 men from the tanker Pendleton with CG-36500 in 1952 had this to say about the 44 MLB in his book "Chatham: The Lifeboatmen": Silver and Gold Lifesaving Medal The Lifesaving Medal is a military decoration of the United States Coast Guard which was first created in June of 1874. ...
1952 (MCMLII) was a Leap year starting on Tuesday (link will take you to calendar). ...
"This new 44-footer was in sharp contrast to the old 36-footers like the CG36500. She was built of steel and powered by two GM diesel engines. She had two heated compartments for survivors, with settees and seat belts to hold them in safely during a rough passage. Unlike CG36500, which had only a compass for navigational equipment, the new 44-footer had an array of electronic aides. She was equipped with radar, direction finding equipment, depth finding equipment, and several radios with various range and frequencies. The boat had an enclosed pilot station, and a seat for the helm with a safety belt attached. It was also designed to roll over and come upright again."
Her range of stability was in excess of 175 degrees and rated for surf conditions up 20 feet (6 m), seas up to 30 feet (10 m) and winds up to 50 knots sustained (93 km/h). Her crew of four could comfortably travel over 50 miles (80 km) offshore and tow vessels up to 125 gross tons.
In all 110 vessels would be built by the Coast Guard Yard in Curtis Bay between 1962 and 1972 with an additional 52 built by the RNLI, Canadian Coast Guard and others under license from the USCG. 1962 (MCMLXII) was a common year starting on Monday (the link is to a full 1962 calendar). ...
1972 (MCMLXXII) was a leap year starting on Saturday. ...
Swanage lifeboat being winched up its slipway The Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI) is a charity based in England dedicated to saving lives at sea around the coasts of Great Britain and Ireland. ...
The Canadian Coast Guard or CCG (Fr. ...
 One of four refurbished 44 foot patrol boats supplied to the Djibouti Navy Still in active service, the 44 MLB can be found in many third world countries and faithfully serving the Royal Volunteer Coastal Patrol in Australia, the Royal New Zealand Coastguard Federation, and even the US Coast Guard Station Chatham in Chatham, Massachusetts where CG44301 (the first production 44) is still in active service. The current engine configuration is twin Detroit Diesel 6v53's that put out 185 hp each at a max RPM of 2800. Image File history File links Download high-resolution version (2775x2115, 559 KB) DJIBOUTI CITY, Djibouti (September 13, 2006) -- A Djiboutian patrol boat, donated by the U.S. government, moves through the Tadjoura Gulf. ...
Image File history File links Download high-resolution version (2775x2115, 559 KB) DJIBOUTI CITY, Djibouti (September 13, 2006) -- A Djiboutian patrol boat, donated by the U.S. government, moves through the Tadjoura Gulf. ...
For the Jamaican reggae band, see Third World (band). ...
Australia, with 19,650 kilometres of coastline, surprisingly does not have an American-style Coast Guard. ...
Seal of Chatham, MA Chatham is a town located in Barnstable County, Massachusetts, Barnstable County being coextensive with Cape Cod. ...
Another surf capable boat that the Coast Guard has used in recent years is the 30' Surf Rescue Boat (SRB) . Also self righting and self bailing, the 30' SRB was designed with marked differences from the typical lifeboats used by the Coast Guard up until the early 80's. The 30' SRB is not considered to be a Motor Lifeboat, but it was generally used in a similar capacity. Designed to perform Search and Rescue in adverse weather and surf, the first 30' SRB was built by the Willard Boat Company in Fountain Valley, California. Much of the 30 footer's design centered around speed. The sides of the hull are made of 5/8" airex foam cored firberglass reinforced plastic (FRP), and the bottom of the hull is constructed of solid FRP molded in one piece. The boat is 30' 4" in length with a 9' 4" beam, and weighs a total of 11,500 LBS when fully loaded with gear and engine. The 30 footer has a single Detroit Diesel 6V92TI engine, configured by Johnson Towers rated at 375 horse power. The throttles are manually controlled, and the boat has a single screw and rudder.
When new, the 30' SRB's were rated for a top speed of 31 knots. Although in later years, most of the hulls fell prey to minor water intrusion into the FRP, which slowed most of the boats to around 28 knots at max RPM. The 30 footer has a range of 130 NM, and most standard operating procedures dictate that the boat not go more than 20 nautical miles offshore without a waiver granted at higher level commands. The fuel capacity is 78 gallons at 100%, and the vessel is generally operated with a crew of two, a Surfman and an Engineer. The crew both stand on the coxswain flat, protected by the superstructure on the bow and stern. The boat's appearance has caused many to comment that it looks like a "Nike Tennis Shoe".
The intent for the boat is that it be used for quick response. It is able to get on scene quickly, get into a surf zone and extract any persons in the water, or to stabilize a situation until the slower and larger Motor Lifeboat can get on scene. Since 1997, and the introduction of the faster 47' MLB, and the phasing out of the 44' MLB's, the need for a quick response vessel diminished, making the 30 footers obsolete. The class of vessels underwent an overhaul in the early nineties to extend their life until the newer and faster 47' Motor Lifeboats came into service, and in the late 90's most of the 30 footers were de-commissioned. One still remains on active duty at Motor Lifeboat Station Depoe Bay in Depoe Bay, Oregon and is used almost daily. Ironically, this station was also host to the last 36' Motor Lifeboat in the late 80's. Even though the boats have many quirks, including "dynamic instability" (where the boat becomes unstable at high speeds), many Surfmen who became qualified on the boats have sworn by them. Sometimes referred to as a sports car compared to a tractor (the MLB), they are sometimes challenging to learn to operate, but once mastered, the 30' Surf Rescue Boat is definitely one of the most seaworthy boats the Coast Guard has employed.
Modern motor life boats
 | | 47 Motor Life Boat | | First built: | 1990 (prototype) | | Last built: | Still in Production | | Number built: | currently 117;
200 scheduled | | Builder: | Textron Marine | | General Characteristics | | Displacement: | 40,000 lb (18,000 kg) | | Length: | 47 ft 11 in (15 m) | | Beam: | 14 ft (4.3 m) | | Draft: | 4 ft 6 in (1.4 m) | | Hull: | 5456 marine aluminium | | Propulsion: | Two 435 hp (324 kW) Detroit Diesel engines | | Speed: | 25 knots (46 km/h) max; 22 knots (41 km/h) cruise | | Range: | 200 nautical miles (370 km) cruise | | Righting capability: | Rollover in under 10 seconds, longer if your the one underwater | | Complement: | 4 Enlisted Personnel (1 Coxswain, 1 Engineer, 2 Crew), 5 passengers | The USCG has since designed and built new aluminum 47 foot lifeboats, with Textron Marine and Land Systems awarded the contract to design and build the US model, which was delivered in 1990. After 2 years of testing and evaluation, 5 more were built between 1992 and 1994 incorporating improvements from the prototype model for further testing and evaluation around the country. The first production boat was delivered to the USCG in 1997. Image File history File links A United States Coast Guard 47 MLB charging through the surf For further information regarding use of images from the US Coast Guard, their website can be found here. ...
MCMXC redirects here; for the Enigma album, see MCMXC a. ...
Textron (NYSE: TXT) is a major US based conglomerate, who, unlike most other conglomerates, remains fairly large today after the glory years in the 1960s. ...
Detroit Diesel Corporation (DDC), headquartered in Detroit, Michigan, USA, is part of the Freightliner - Trucks NAFTA Business Unit, and is a subsidiary of DaimlerChrysler AG. The company produces on-highway medium and heavy-duty Diesel engines for the commercial truck market, and for other commercial and automobile use. ...
Textron (NYSE: TXT) is a major US based conglomerate, who, unlike most other conglomerates, remains fairly large today after the glory years in the 1960s. ...
MCMXC redirects here; for the Enigma album, see MCMXC a. ...
1992 (MCMXCII) was a leap year starting on Wednesday. ...
1994 (MCMXCIV) was a common year starting on Saturday of the Gregorian calendar, and was designated as the International Year of the Family and the International Year of the Sport and the Olympic Ideal by United Nations. ...
1997 (MCMXCVII) was a common year starting on Wednesday of the Gregorian calendar. ...
The 47 MLB is the most sophisticated MLB ever built, able to withstand impacts of three times the acceleration of gravity, she can survive a complete roll-over, self-righting in less than 10 seconds with all machinery remaining fully operational. Powered by twin Detroit Diesels producing 435 hp (324 kW) each, the 47 MLB can travel at 25 knots (46 km/h) to reach her destination. Detroit Diesel Corporation (DDC), headquartered in Detroit, Michigan, USA, is part of the Freightliner - Trucks NAFTA Business Unit, and is a subsidiary of DaimlerChrysler AG. The company produces on-highway medium and heavy-duty Diesel engines for the commercial truck market, and for other commercial and automobile use. ...
There are currently 117 operational with a total of 200 scheduled to be delivered to the USCG. A further 27 models are being built by MetalCraft Marine under license to the Canadian Coast Guard. The Canadian Coast Guard or CCG (Fr. ...
In Britain, the RNLI design and build several types of all-weather motor lifeboats, the Arun class kept permanently afloat, the Tyne class slipway-launched boat and the Mersey class carriage-launched boat. More recently the Arun replacement Trent and Severn class prototype models were delivered in 1992 with the first production Trent arriving in 1994 and the Severn in 1996. The first production Tamar class, replacement for the Tyne went into service in December 2005 and the FCB2 class replacement for the Mersey is being developed for deployment in 2007. RNLI Lifeboat at Calshot Spit The Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI) is a charity dedicated to saving lives at sea around the coasts of the United Kingdom and the Republic of Ireland. ...
The Arun class lifeboat is the second largest lifeboat used by the RNLI and is an afloat boat (it is left afloat, cf. ...
Tyne class lifeboats serve the shores of the UK as a part of the RNLI fleet. ...
Mersey class lifeboats serve the shores of the UK as a part of the RNLI fleet. ...
Trent class lifeboats serve the shores of the UK as a part of the RNLI fleet. ...
The Severn class lifeboat is the largest lifeboat used by the RNLI and is an afloat boat (it is left afloat, cf. ...
1992 (MCMXCII) was a leap year starting on Wednesday. ...
1994 (MCMXCIV) was a common year starting on Saturday of the Gregorian calendar, and was designated as the International Year of the Family and the International Year of the Sport and the Olympic Ideal by United Nations. ...
1996 (MCMXCVI) was a leap year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar, and was designated the International Year for the Eradication of Poverty. ...
Tamar class lifeboats serve the shores of the UK as a part of the RNLI fleet. ...
2005 (MMV) was a common year starting on Saturday of the Gregorian calendar. ...
The FCB2 (Fast Carriage-Launched Boat) will serve the shores of the UK as a part of the RNLI fleet. ...
2007 (MMVII) is the current year, a common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar and the Anno Domini (common) era. ...
References Early Lifeboats 36 MLB - CG-36500 History of a 36 MLB
- Don's MLB Page A personal website on the 36 MLB
44 MLB - US Coast Guard Datasheet on the 44 MLB
- 44 Motor Life Boat A personal website on the 44 MLB
- CG-44355 A 44 MLB on display in New Jersey
- Axis Historical Society A 44 MLB in Australia
- Waiheke Volunteer Coastguard A 44 MLB in New Zealand
- SSS601 Viking A 44 MLB Sea Scout Ship in Washington
47 MLB Sea Scouts is a program within the Boy Scouts of Americas Venturing Program. ...
Coast Guard Agencies - Garde côtière canadienne Canadian Coast Guard
- USCG National Motor Life Boat School USCG Station Cape Disappointment, WA
- Royal National Lifeboat Institution United Kingdom
- sea-rescue.de Lifeboat Services around the World
Books - John A Culver; The 36 foot Coast Guard motor life boat (1989 J.A. Culver)
- Bernard C. Webber; Chatham, "The Lifeboatmen" (1985 Lower Cape Pub., ISBN 0-936972-08-4 )
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