47' Motor Life Boat (MLB)

"Textron Marine & Land’s 47-foot Motor Life Boat (MLB) is a rugged, highly survivable all-aluminum rescue boat that significantly enhances the United States Coast Guard’s ability to perform search and rescue operations in heavy weather conditions. ...

The MLB design combines many technological innovations. It's lightweight, rugged marine-grade aluminum hull is faster than its predecessors and can withstand impacts from 20-foot breaking waves at three times the force of gravity. ...

The MLB design has an inherent self-righting capability. When pitch-poled or rolled into swells, the MLB will self-right in less than 10 seconds - with all machinery remaining fully operational.¹"

"The MLB operates with a crew of four and accommodates up to five passengers. For maximum safety, visibility and efficiency, the boat’s four operator’s stations can be controlled from port or starboard from either an open bridge position or from inside the enclosed bridge. The open bridge allows for superior visibility to negotiate obstacles and to enhance safety during close recovery of persons in the water. The enclosed bridge aids operator performance by providing a protected, climate-controlled watertight compartment for use during transit and allows the operator and crew to remain protected from fatigue caused by inclement weather. The enclosed watertight survivor’s compartment is also climate-controlled and offers critical temperature adjustments and an environment for medical aid for survivors who may have been injured or submerged in icy waters.¹"

"Through innovative engineering and design, the MLB offers recessed recovery wells on both port and starboard sides. Because these recovery wells allow rescuers to operate less than one foot from the waterline, retrieval of victims or flotsam is more easily accomplished. Special safety fittings mounted at optimum intervals around the hull of the boat allow rescuers to remain safely harnessed to the boat during pitching and rolling seas. The survivor’s compartment, designed for attendance to injured persons, also makes use of harnesses to promote passenger safety.¹"

"Based on the extreme and proven success of this platform, many international customers have expressed interest in the MLB for achieving their specific mission scenarios. To answer those requirements, TM&L has further developed the MLB to address a variety of missions including search and rescue, patrol, firefighting and other law enforcement and paramilitary activities.¹"

Find out more about the 47' Motor Life Boat at these links.

Textron Marine & Land Systems

MetalCraft Marine, Inc.

Wikipedia Motor Life Boat article

United States Coast Guard web site page

Military.com article