Office of External Affairs
U.S. Coast Guard

Date: Nov. 17, 2008

Contact: PA3 Tom Atkeson,
(504) 671-2020

NEW ORLEANS - Coast Guard Station Grand Isle, La., was the first unit in the Eighth Coast Guard District to receive a new shallow water response vessel Thursday, November 13, 2008.

The new 23-foot Special Purpose Craft - Shallow Water (SPC-SW), has an 18-inch draft, and is outfitted with two 150-horsepower engines and is capable of speeds of up to 45-mph. The engines are mounted on a jack plate, which allows the operator to raise and lower the engines to avoid damaging the engines and propellers while operating in shallow water.

"The shallow water boat will enhance our operational capability by allowing us to access shallow waterways and bayous in our area of responsibility that we were not able to prior to receiving the shallow water boat," said Lt. James Bendle, commanding officer of Station Grand Isle.

Other features include: trim tabs, a Very High Frequency (VHF) radio, Ultra high frequency radio, radar and GPS chart plotter and shock mitigating seats.

Three SPC-SW's have been delivered to the Coast Guard by Metal Shark Boats, LLC of Jeanerette, La.

For video of the SPC-SW in click the below link:

In this photo released by the U.S. Coast Guard, crewmembers from Coast Guard Station Grand Isle take the unit;s newest asset, the Special Purpose Craft - Shallow Water (SPC-SW) for a test trail after receiving the vessel Thursday, Nov. 13, 2008. U.S. Coast Guard photograph/Petty Officer 3rd Class Tom Atkeson

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