VESSEL REVIEW | California's Newport Beach Harbor Department acquires versatile electric utility RIB
The Harbor Department of the City of Newport Beach in California recently welcomed a new patrol boat into service.
The city government claims that the new rigid inflatable boat (RIB), built by Vita Power, is also the first all-electric work vessel delivered to any public agency in the United States.
The RIB will be operated alongside the Newport Beach Harbor Department's three other vessels. Its duties will also include towing of other vessels in distress or those that have broken free of their moorings; visitor service including public contact and communication and exchange of documents; code enforcement operations; rescue operations; safety patrols; rubbish and debris removal; light maintenance; and public relations.
“We went through an extensive request for bid process with comprehensive specifications for our intended use,” Paul Blank, Harbormaster for the City of Newport Beach, told Baird Maritime.
Built for durability and operational flexibility
The new boat needed to have an LOA no greater than 24 feet (7.3 metres) and an overall beam of no greater than 12 feet (3.7 metres), allowing it to be transported by trailer on California’s roads. It also needed to be highly manoeuvrable, highly stable, and with hull and superstructure materials that are corrosion-resistant to ensure longevity in a saltwater environment.
“It needed to possess a soft-sided build or mounts for sufficient fenders to withstand contact with other vessels as well as sufficient storage area for ground tackle, safety and towing tools and equipment,” added Blank. “A low freeboard would permit easy contact with mariners while a dive door, cutout and other features were seen as ideal for retrieving persons in the water.”
Other requirements were for sufficient power for towing, tugging and pushing vessels up to three times longer and ten time heavier than the RIB itself; sufficient cleats and/or tow posts for securing to berths and other vessels; an inclement weather enclosure for at least two full-sized adult operators and windshield wipers; and a platform or mount sufficient to operate onboard technology including a rugged laptop computer, a mobile phone and other portable devices.
“We needed a boat with marine navigation and radar systems including a chart plotter, a depth sounder and AIS for vessel tracking; a marine PA/speaker system; and an emergency, flashing yellow light bar, a searchlight, deck lighting as well as “International Rules” approved navigation lighting.
“It should also have sufficient ground tackle (anchor, chain and rode) to hold a 40-foot (12-metre) vessel of 10 tonnes in 35 knots of wind and seas of up to three feet (0.9 metre) high; the ability to operate without refueling/recharging for a 10-hour shift with one 30-minute break; and a carbon monoxide detector.”
Lastly, the vessel needed to satisfy US Coast Guard and State of California and Department of Boating and Waterways standards and regulations at the time of manufacture. The manufacturer itself needed to conform to all safety orders of the California Division of Industrial Safety and current OSHA requirements.
Part of the operator's capability expansion program
“The addition of this vessel allows the Harbor Department team to enjoy 33 per cent more visibility and capacity for service delivery, and do so with zero emissions supporting our efforts to maintain a clean harbour,” Blank told Baird Maritime.
"The ever increasing recreational and commercial activity in the harbour necessitates enhanced patrol presence and enforcement capabilities to ensure safety and compliance with maritime and municipal regulations. An additional vessel enables faster response times to emergencies, accidents, and potential hazards, thereby improving overall public safety."
Blank added that authorisation to expand the fleet will also allow for better patrolling during peak seasons and events, mitigating the risks associated with a variety of activities on the harbour.
“A typical hour of patrol activities on one of our petrol-powered vessels consumes about one gallon (3.8 litres) of fuel and costs about US$5.00. A typical hour of patrol activities on the new RIB consumes about two kWh of electricity and costs about US$0.46 at current rates.”
Responsive controls coupled with low emissions
The RIB is fitted with a Vita Superpower electric motor with a rated peak output of 185 hp (138 kW) connected to a Mercury Mercruiser Alpha One sterndrive and powered by two lithium-ion batteries with a total capacity of 126 kWh.
With a top speed of 30 knots and a cruising speed of 20 knots, the boat will generally carry a crew of two staff members and can accommodate up to eight additional people. Instant high torque means that complex manoeuvres can be completed easily, with Vita Power's proprietary responsive controls providing maximal towing and pushing force even at low rpm.
The RIB is designed to facilitate operations between pontoons and other restricted spaces while the absence of toxic fumes and spillages associated with traditional petrol workboats, thus benefiting both water quality and the working conditions of operators.
“All of our patrol boats are fitted out with Raymarine electronics,” Blank told Baird Maritime. “In addition to those already outlined above, the new boat also features two marine VHF radios.”
The RIB also carries a skimmer for debris collection; mobile devices for processing calls for service including call tracking and documentation including images; and equipment for lifesaving and rendering first aid.
