By Troy Turner
The Naval Sea Systems Command has awarded Silver Ships, Inc., based in Theadore off Mobile Bay, a nearly $12 million contract modification to an earlier $16 million deal for additional vessels to support the Coast Guard.
The contract modification exercises options with Silver Ships for two 11-meter surface support craft and up to 18 Coast Guard Special Purpose Craft Law Enforcement Generation II (SPC-LE II) craft.
Work will be performed in Theodore and is expected to be completed by August 2028.
The Coast Guard describes the SPC-LE II vessels as “a new, high-speed boat to interdict smugglers’ ‘go-fast’ craft.
“The SPCLE is derived from the proven U.S. Department of Homeland Security 33-foot Defender-class boats. The SPCLE features three Mercury Verado 275 hp outboard motors, a zero-to-plane time under three seconds, and a top speed of more than 60 miles per hour.
“The fully enclosed heated and air-conditioned cabin, with as many as six shock mitigating seats, reduces crew fatigue and allows operations in heavier seas.
“With a forward gunner’s station and increased operational range, the 33-foot SPCLE is an ideal law enforcement platform.”
Silver Ships has a defense/military client list that goes beyond the U.S. government. For example, it recently completed reactivation and crew familiarization training of three Coastal Fast Response Boats that were delivered to the Guatemalan Navy. Training took place for two weeks and culminated with a graduation ceremony attended by officials from the Guatemalan Navy, the company reported.
The three custom-designed, 43-foot military boats will be used for coastal and harbor patrol along with law enforcement duties involving patrol of Guatemala’s coastline along the Caribbean Sea and the Pacific Ocean.
Troy Turner is the founder, editor and senior consultant for AlaDefense.com. He can be reached at [email protected]. His bio can be found here.
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