USCG 87' CPB Following a world wide survey of designs, Bollinger Shipyards Inc. selected David M Cannell and Associates to produce a new design which would meet the US Coastguards' highly detailed specification for procurement of a new class of 26 metre Coastal Patrol Vessels. The contract allowed for the purchase of up to 51 vessels. DMC&A were able to complete the design in the short time scale available, meeting all technical requirements of the specification and incorporating in the vessel the firm's daughter vessel launch ramp arrangement designed for the UK Fisheries Protection Vessel, ESF Protector III. The proposal by Bollinger's won the contract against intense competition (at the time it was the largest small boat contract in the world). Whilst the first vessel was still under construction in 1997, the Coastguard took the unusual step of ordering a further batch of six without having tested the first vessel. This demonstrated considerable confidence in the shipyard and design. Successful trials were carried out on the first vessel, and since that time, the full total of 51 vessels has been ordered. The stern launch and recovery system developed by DMC&A allows the RIB to be launched in a matter of seconds in sea conditions up to Sea State 5 and recovered simply and safely in the same conditions without recourse to conventional and hazardous davit or crane operations. Link to www.BOLLINGERSHIPYARDS.COM/ncCPB.htm