The Coast Guard’s previous fleet of 52-foot special purpose heavy weather vessels are pictured before being retired. A proposal to bring in modern heavy weather boats is underway, including two on the Washington coast.

CAPE D — A bigger, modern vessel will replace the now-retired 52-foot Triumph at Cape Disappointment under a plan proposed by the U.S. Coast Guard.

The Coast Guard in December launched its formal process to buy up to six second-generation Special Purpose Craft – Heavy Weather (SPC-HWX) II vessels.

To be stationed at Cape D, Grays Harbor, Yaquina Bay and Coos Bay — plus two “maintenance relief hulls” kept in storage in Astoria — these new vessels will be up 64 feet long, have a top speed of 23 mph (20 knots) and a range of 575 miles (500 nautical miles).

These next-generation boats will conduct search and rescue missions in extreme weather conditions, including surf and extreme seas, and will be able to tow large fishing vessels in distress. The Coast Guard says the vessels will provide longer-range search and rescue in extreme weather conditions that exceed the operational capabilities, range capabilities, and towing limits of the 47-foot motor lifeboats.

The Triumph and its three sister vessels, built in the 1950s, were taken out of service in 2021 after previously being restricted to operating in seas four feet or less. The replacements will be required to be able to work in breaking surf to 25 feet, 35-foot seas and winds to 60-plus knots (69 mph). During any patrol, the new SPC-HWX II should be able to sustain operations at sea for up to 48 hours.

Plan review

“The proposal should give the Coast Guard some very capable craft,” said Chuck Hill, a blogger who specializes in large Coast Guard vessels.

“The boats will support a relief crew of four for missions that last more than 10 hours in calm waters or more than six hours in more demanding conditions. There is also seating for five survivors for a total of 13 seats. Berthing is limited to four,” Hill said, after reviewing the Coast Guard’s detailed 196-page request for proposals from boat builders. They are supposed to have operational lifespans of 25 years.

The boats will have both open and enclosed bridges. They will be equipped with bow thrusters, recovery wells on either side and a powered towline reel. Communications include satellite phone, “and if I understand correctly, encrypted voice and data,” Hill said.

“I do hope they are a bit faster than 20 knots — after all, the 47 footers [motor lifeboats] can do 25 knots,” Hill said.

For purposes of law enforcement, the SPC-HWX IIs would have a forward mount for an automatic weapon (7.76 millimeters M240 or equivalent). Internal lockable storage racks would be provided for an automatic weapon, a service rifle, a service shotgun, and a canister of ammunition for each weapon.

The deployment schedule is yet to be determined, but the Coast Guard outlines a hypothetical timeline of 2026-2032 for all six vessels.

A demanding place

Local conditions place big demands on Coast Guard personnel and equipment.

Cape D is considered the largest search and rescue station in the Pacific Northwest, according to a planning document submitted by the Coast Guard to the Washington Department of Ecology. The station’s main missions include search and rescue for commercial and recreational mariners within 50 nautical miles of the Columbia River entrance, and law enforcement near the approaches to the Columbia River.

Cape Disappointment is regarded as one of the most treacherous river bars in the world. Station Cape Disappointment conducts an average of 450 to 500 search and rescue cases a year.

Comment details

The request for proposals available for public review through Jan. 20. Agencies and the public are encouraged to submit written comments to help evaluate the final assessment.

A copy of the plan can be reviewed at the Ilwaco Timberland Library, 158 First Ave N; 360-642-3908; or online at tinyurl.com/SPC-HWX-II-plan. Written comments can be mailed to Paul Andron, lead systems engineer, Boat Acquisition Program (CG-9325), Coast Guard Acquisition Directorate, 2703 Martin Luther King Ave, SE, Washington, DC 20593-7800; email: Paul.T.Andron@uscg.mil.

The Coast Guard’s decision whether to go ahead with its plan will follow the conclusion of the public comment period.