Assessment of the Impressions of Station Personnel on the Effectiveness and Suitability of the 47-Foot Motor Life Boat (MLB)

The Coast Guard is in the process of evaluating a new 47-Foot Motor Life Boat (MLB) to replace the aging 44-Foot MLB. As part of the Operational Test and Evaluation (OT&E) of the 47-Foot MLB, survey and small group discussions were conducted to assess crew impressions of the suitability and effectiveness of various aspects of boat operations and handling of the new vessel for performing MLB mission requirements (search and rescue, law enforcement, boating safety, etc.). One hundred and twenty crew members from five small boat station evaluation sites, representing a range of rates, ranks, experience levels, and typically fully qualified on both the 47-Foot and the 44- Foot MLB, participated in the evaluation. In general, the 47-Foot MLB received consistently superior ratings for all comparisons. The only exception was firefighting capability, where the 47-Foot MLB showed less favorable capabilities. Nine areas were identified as requiring further enhancements to improve the effectiveness and suitability of the 47-Foot MLB. Three general conclusions were drawn from this assessment. The new 47-Foot MLB: represents a significant improvement over the 44-Foot MLB; Is considered near the ideal MLB vessel, but does have room for improvements in some areas; will be an effective and suitable replacement for the 44-Foot MLB, particularly after the identified issues for improvement are addressed. Motor Life Boat (MLB), Safety, Suitability, Performance, Effectiveness, Small boat station