For professionals in any industry, performing your duty to the fullest means having the right equipment. When you work in a marine environment, there’s no equipment more important than your boat. That’s why it’s crucial to have the right size patrol boat vessel that’s ready to handle any operation — it allows you to get the job done right.
Choosing the right size patrol boat is essential for any marine operation, but it’s especially crucial for law enforcement and assistance vessels. When duty calls, you don’t have the luxury of checking the weather and deciding whether to go or not — you need a boat that’s prepared to perform in the worst potential conditions.
Here at Fluid Marine, we make rigid inflatable boats, and we pride ourselves on equipping marine professionals of all sectors with optimal vessels. The Navy Seals, U.S. Coast Guard, law enforcement and other patrol operations all use rigid inflatables boats. Why? Performance and reliability. There’s no time for anything less than the best.
The United States Coast Guard Office of Search and Rescue reports that the Coast Guard saved 4,188 lives in 2017 alone. Having the optimal boat couldn’t be more critical.
In this guide, we’ll take you through how to pick the right size rigid inflatable boat for your patrol.
Patrol 780 military boat
The Right Patrol Boat Size for You
The best patrol boat size depends on your operation’s specific needs as well as where and how you operate. These are some factors to consider when picking your optimal vessel
Operating Environment
The main deciding factor in selecting the right size patrol boat size is the environment in which you operate. Simply put — ocean-going vessels are going to need extra size and capabilities than those used only for inshore purposes.
Inshore Operations
If your patrol operations are entirely inshore — like Fish and Wildlife enforcement on a lake or law enforcement on a river — you may be able to get away with a smaller vessel or one without an enclosed cabin. Most harbors and freshwater environment aren’t as affected by wind and waves, so you can opt for a less powerful, more maneuverable vessel.
Offshore Operations
For frequent ocean-going vessels, more size means better functionality in rough conditions. You need a boat that won’t have you bouncing around when things get choppy.
Models like our Patrol 26 are perfect for ‘all condition’ operations. At 25’6”, it’s a versatile size that’s ready to handle intense days at sea. With stabilizers and dynamic hull design, it’s made to reduce impact and crew fatigue for long patrols in rough waves.
When your vessel is capable of easily handling the conditions, you’ll be able to focus on your job and providing assistance.
Type of Mission
The size of the vessel you need depends on its function. Think about your day-to-day operations and what they typically require, as well as any rare days in which you’ve wanted a different size vessel. Bigger doesn’t always mean better — sometimes, a small, maneuverable craft is more functional.
Ask yourself a few questions:
Is this boat used for picking up passengers or just to take a few crew members from point A to point B? Will I need to tow vessels? Could I have to pick up several extra passengers? Do I need to carry additional, heavy equipment?
Patrol boats must be ready for any mission, and as any patrol officer will tell you, you have to be prepared for the unexpected. The best way to always be ready is to pick a boat with extra size and capability than what you might typically need.
Length of Mission
Consider the time and distance of missions your boat typically embarks on, as well as the rare ones where you have to go much further.
Larger vessels are better suited for long missions — not only do they have a larger range and fuel capacity, but they’re more comfortable for you and your crew as well. Also, enclosed cabins keep you dry and protected from harsh conditions when you need to spend a long time at the helm.
For these kinds of missions, our Patrol 29 Cabin has the power and capacity to cover long distances comfortably and an enclosed wheelhouse to keep you and your crew sheltered from foul weather. Known as the definitive Special Forces boat, it’s used by more patrol operations worldwide than any other watercraft.
Number of Passengers
The number of passengers you usually carry helps determine the size patrol boat you need — more seating means you’ll need a larger boat. And don’t forget to allow enough room for free movement on the deck — crew members need easy mobility to work effectively.
Also, if you operate law enforcement or rescue boat, you may find yourself picking up extra passengers if you make an arrest or help people off a vessel in distress. It’s important to choose a boat that can accommodate additional passengers and has the load capacity to get them safely to shore.
If you’re the first responder on a scene of an emergency, you don’t want to risk overloading your vessel to get people out of the water — choose a boat with more than enough capacity.
Whether you choose an inshore patrol boat or a large patrol craft, the right vessel should match your mission environment, operational range, crew size, and equipment needs. Understanding these factors ensures that your team stays safe, efficient, and always ready for the challenges on the water.
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