Rigid Hull Inflatable Boats (RHIBs)
Built for Rescue

Almost every major Navy and Coast Guard has them in their inventory. No, their not named, and they aren’t usually found in Jane’s Fighting Ships either. But, they are an important part of many major sea services. What type of vessel are they? They are Rigid Hull Inflatable Boats, commonly referred to as RHIB’s or RIB’s.

What exactly is an RHIB?

They are typically glass-reinforced or aluminum hulls to which a multi-compartment buoyancy tube is attached. RHIBs have stringers and which support a molded deck. In addition, for rescue RHIBs, they also have a removable collar that has multiple air chambers, each fitted with separate fill and relief valves.

Deck Department personnel prepare for a night launch of a Rigid Hull Inflatable Boat aboard the amphibious assault ship USS Kearsarge. (click to enlarge)

Many of the collars have a built-in bolt-rope system to enable other boats or people to grab hold of, during a rescue. These collars also allow impacts to be absorbed, protecting the rest the molded deck and personnel. The collar, which is removable, expedites repairs or replacement. The inflatable collar makes the RHIB extremely versatile by providing high stability and the ability to fender off vessels without damage.

Powered by either a single or dual gasoline or diesel engines, with either outboard, inboard/outboard stern drive, or jet drive, these boats can carry as few as three and some as many as eighteen people. Speed is dependent on the size and power plant, but some can reach speeds in excess of 40 knots.

Why are they so popular as a rescue vehicle?

There are several reasons why RHIBs have gained in popularity as both recreational as well as rescue craft. Prime among these is the durability of the craft for many types of sea states. The United States Coast Guard requirement for its new WPB (87’"Marine Protector Class" Coastal Patrol Boat (CPB)) was that the patrol boat be able to operate in Sea State Five (10 foot waves) and launch and retrieve a small craft in Sea State Four (7 foot waves).

RHIBs have the ability to withstand these unfavorable sea conditions, as well as absorb the beatings that these wave heights that would stress traditional fiberglass or wood vessels.

USCG RHIB on patrol

The large availability of different manufacturers and power plants has also added to their popularity. Most RHIBs are available in SOLAS (Safety of Life at Sea) and non-SOLAS standards.

Other reasons for the popularity of RHIBs in the rescue community include its ability to provide a fast response and its shallow water capabilities. These factors make RHIBs an excellent vessel for conducting the Law Enforcement as well as rescue missions.

In a report title “Worldwide Assessment of Stern Launch Capability” by Rubin Sheinberg, Christopher Cleary, and Thomas Beukema of the U.S. Coast Guard’s Engineering Logistics Center spoke about the advantages of the RHIB:

RHIBs in action

Rescue services from Canada to Australia, Great Brittan to the United States rely on Rigid Hull Inflatable Boats to service inland, bay, near coastal and ocean rescues, law enforcement and environmental missions. It is because these vessels offer such a wealth of different mission platform support, that they have become indispensable tools of the International Search and Rescue (SAR) Community.

Here are some short stories of these infamous vessels in action:

The Canadian Coast Guard (CCG) along with the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) intercepted a vessel that was engaged in illegal transportation of undocumented Asian aliens. When finally intercepted, the CCG found 100 persons on the beach -- cold and wet and bewildered. The CCG using only a rigid-hull inflatable boat (RHIB), demonstrated their faith in their vessel, forging through dense fog and swell. Hour after hour, rescue trip after rescue trip, they plied waters containing rocks and other debris. All in all, they rescued 133 illegal Asians from the beach.

“Coast Guard’s Rigid Hull Inflatable Operator Training (RHIOT) program in Bamfield that’s considered one of the best in the world for this specialized training. The school has been in operation since 1984. Since then, more than 1,536 rigid hull many groups that use RHIBs in challenging and often dangerous conditions,” Kevin Tomsett said. “Our program is in such demand because we’ve got the perfect training ground, lots of cumulative experience, and excellent instructors.”

Her Majesty’s Royal New Zealand RHIB on patrol. (click to enlarge)

A recent class included a … a 23-year old female UVic student and member of the Oak Bay Coast Guard Auxiliary… The week-long course is held only in winter, when the seas are at their roughest. “We like to put the students through the worst conditions possible,” Bill Mather, Chief Instructor at the school, said.

The course comprises classroom work, hands-on instruction, and real life training out on the ocean. Students study high-speed obstacle avoidance maneuvers, station-keeping close in to rocks and cliffs and the proper way to drive big waves. They attend lectures on wave theory that examine the differences between various waves—what makes them refract and break and move like they do. There are classes dedicated to using sophisticated navigational tools like DGPS and radar.

Students learn proper care for RHIBs including how to repair leaks, how to restart engines that have been submerged and how to right an overturned RHIB. There are sessions on how to use an overturned boat for protection, how to get back into a boat if you have fallen out, and how to get victims into the boat.”

“ABOARD THE USS GARY — Half-blinded by sea spray, the U.S. sailors yelled and gestured for the Iraqi fishermen to jump off their sinking ship.

Fifteen-foot waves tossed the sailors around and sucked their inflatable boat toward the listing, spinning trawler.

“I didn’t think at any time we’d get all eight of them or that we’d all make it back ourselves,” said Ensign Ryan Easterday, officer of the rigid-hulled inflatable boat launched from the USS Gary…”