The Coventry Police Department's new patrol RIB Ribcraft
RIBs and RHIBs

Rhode Island police operator takes delivery of new patrol RIB

Will Xavier

The Coventry Police Department in Rhode Island recently took delivery of a new rigid inflatable boat (RIB) built by Ribcraft USA.

The centre console RIB will be used for patrol and emergency response duties in the Pawtuxet River Valley.

The boat measures 19 feet (5.8 metres) long by eight feet (two metres) wide and is powered by a Yamaha 115hp (86kW) outboard engine that can deliver speeds in excess of 36 knots.

The heavy duty Hypalon tube has multiple chambers, boarding wear patches, and bow reinforcing. These features and the deep-V hull with a high-swept bow contribute to the RIB's durability.

Other features of the new boat include a crew leaning post, a front bench seat, a T-top, a full-size windscreen, an LED light bar, a hailer/siren, and a GPS supplied by Garmin.

Lieutenant Alexander DeMolles of the Coventry Police Department said that the compact and lightweight design makes the RIB easy to be trailer-transported using the department's standard patrol vehicles.