Big Value in Small Packages May Well Be the Key to More Effective Port Security. Port Security Patrol Boats. Today, a different kind of war is being fought, at home and abroad. This time, the weapons involve a terror so insidious that the very nature of maritime commerce has been altered because of it. It is widely acknowledged that perhaps the weakest link in the war that will probably never really end is represented by the 95,000+ miles of American coastline, as well as the threat inherent in waterborne activity overseas.

NOAA christened a new, state-of-the-art research vessel that will enhance the study and protection of Flower Garden Banks National Marine Sanctuary in the Gulf of Mexico.  Story continues in: Marine Log.  Built in Bellingham, Wash., by All American Marine, the twin-hulled Manta features a laboratory equipped with the latest scientific instruments, air compressors to allow divers to refill scuba tanks at sea, and a recompression chamber to enhance diver safety. The vessel can hold up to 25 people, deploy robot subs and other ocean exploration tools, and cruise at speeds up to 35 knots.

Special warfare combatant-craft crewman (SWCC) students prepare 11-meter rigid hull inflatable boats ready to go underway.  Story: Navy NewsStand by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Michelle Kapica.

United States Coast Guard's new boat, a Response Boat - Medium (RB-M) hull # 45601 demonstrates its performance during Acceptance Trials and familiarization activities. The RB-M is a multi-mission capable boat expected to operate in coastal zones which include inshore and inland waterways and open ocean out to 50 nautical miles, but will routinely operate in shallow water.

DEEPWATER LONG RANGE INTERCEPTOR BEGINS INITIAL TESTING  Anaheim, Calif. (June 6, 2007) – Construction of the Long Range Interceptor (LRI) is 95 percent complete and preliminary testing is underway at Willard Marine's facility in California.  The LRI will allow a boarding team or search and rescue party from the National Security Cutter (NSC) or Offshore Patrol Cutter (OPC) to operate independently up to 80 miles away from the cutter for up to 10 hours.

EOD Marines sink former gunboat Douglas.  On a mission that doesn’t come along often, explosive ordnance disposal Marines from Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point, N.C., got to sink a retired Navy ship April 30.

General Dynamics Delivers First Unmanned Surface Vehicle to U.S. Navy for Littoral Combat Ship.