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Coast Guard Assets

Explore the aircraft, cutters and boats used by the Coast Guard to conduct various missions throughout the world.

Asset | April 26, 2019

Special purpose craft

The special purpose crafts are designed to meet specific mission requirements or provide a capable and safe asset in unique operating environment.

  • 15-foot ice rescue skiff - The 15-foot ice rescue skiff is primarily used for ice rescue short haul cases in enclosed ports, waterways, bay and from Coast Guard cutters. The SKF-ICE can also be used to transport or shuttle displaced or injured victims after a natural disaster.
  • 18- and 20-foot airboat special purpose craft - Primary mission for the 18- and 20-foot airboat special purpose craft is ice search and rescue and shallow water or flood operations.
  • 24-foot shallow water - The 24-foot shallow water boats can be used to support a natural disaster response; and ice boats that are used for conducting ice rescues.
  • 33-foot law enforcement special purpose craft - The 33-foot law enforcement special purpose craft is a multi-mission craft designed and built primarily for counter-drug and migrant missions along the U.S. maritime border. The SPC-LE was the first joint acquisition with U.S. Customs and Border Protection.
  • 38-foot training boat special purpose craft - The 38-foot training boat special purpose crafts are intended to operate at Coast Guard Training Center Yorktown as a platform to teach the basics of seamanship and boat handling during Boatswain's Mate "A" school
  • 42-foot near shore lifeboat - The 42-foot near shore lifeboat is designed to perform mission activities in adverse weather and sea conditions. Missions include search and rescue, recreational boating safety, law enforcement, and port, waterways and coastal security.
  • 52-foot heavy weather motor lifeboat - The 52-foot heavy weather motor lifeboats are the oldest vessels still in operation today. The primary mission is to conduct offshore search and rescue under the most severe sea and surf conditions.
  • 64-foot screening vessel -  The 64-foot screening vessel is designed to perform mission activities in adverse weather and sea conditions. missions include port, waterways and coastal security, search and rescue and law enforcement.