The Department of Homeland Security (DHS), U.S. Coast Guard (USCG) has a requirement to replace their fleet Trailerable Aids-to-Navigation Boat (TANB) that are used by shore-based Aids to Navigation Teams (ANTs) to deploy, retrieve and maintain smaller buoys and other aids to navigation.

The current fleet of 90 boats was delivered between 2006 and 2011 and is nearing the end of the planned service life.

The primary mission of the TANB-II is to service Aids to Navigation (ATON). This includes, but is not limited to, replacing day boards on fixed aids, servicing small buoys (deploying/recovering buoys and moorings), and performing maintenance and replacing batteries on lighted aids (structures and buoys). Due to its ATON mission focus, the TANB-II needs to have open space and a considerable cargo capacity along with a davit to retrieve buoys, anchors and sinkers (concrete weights holding buoys in place). Typical buoys are approximately 6 feet in height and 30 inches in diameter. Typical sinkers/anchors weigh 500 lbs. with approximate dimensions of 24” x 24” x 14”.

In addition to the ATON mission, the TANB-II may be required to perform other Coast Guard missions including Search and Rescue (SAR) and Law Enforcement (LE).

For SAR missions, the TANB-II will be used to execute standard search patterns for vessels or persons in the water using installed electronics systems and crew lookouts. The TANB-II needs to provide the crew with the capability to reach the water and retrieve a person or object with no more than two crew required for the retrieval operation. One crewmember should be able to safely secure the persons in the water alongside the boat. The TANB-II should also provide for unassisted self-recovery of able-bodied crewmembers from the water.

For LE missions, the TANB-II may be required to transport members in support of basic vessel boardings to detect and suppress violations of all applicable federal laws. The TANB-II should provide a stable platform for boarding teams to transit between boats while alongside.

The TANB-II will normally operate with a complement of up to four crew with the ability to operate with up to a total of eight (4 crew and 4 passengers). The TANB-II’s employment can occur at any time day or night, and will typically fall within bays, rivers, sounds and inland waters of the United States, the Great Lakes, Alaska and Puerto Rico, and up-to 12 nautical miles (NM) offshore. The TANB-II will operate in both salt and fresh water.

The TANB-II will be based at shore stations and may be berthed in the water, at a pier or slip, or on the boat’s trailer. The TANB-II shall be trailerable for transport at highway speeds and not require permits for transportation.

Approximated TANB-II Characteristics:

• Length, Hull: 25 feet maximum
• Beam: 8 feet 6 inches maximum
• Height:
  • Maximum height on trailer: Easily configurable (no tools required) to a maximum height of 12 feet 6 inches
  • Maximum waterborne air draft: Easily configurable (no tools required) to a maximum height of 9 feet
• Draft: Threshold: 2 feet 6 inches; Objective: 2 feet
• Weight with Trailer: 10,000 lbs. (full fuel, cargo, and no personnel)
• Cargo Capacity: 1,000 lbs.
• Arrangement: Console with windscreen, shock mitigating seating for four, and hard top to provide crew protection. Fixed or removable platform to work higher fixed aids.
• Stability: ISO 12217 (2015)
• Structure: ISO 12215 (2019)
• Propulsion: Twin 4-stroke outboards
• Top Speed: 30-knots
• Range: 150 nautical miles at 25 knots (with 10% fuel reserve)
• Communication/Radio: Government protected VHF, commercial VHF with digital selective calling
• Navigation: USCG Scalable Integrated Navigation System-2 with radar and depth sounder (with side scan sonar) and integrated Automatic Identification System (AIS)
• Towing Capacity: Capable of towing boats up to 20,000 lbs. displacement
• Buoy Handling: Davit with electric winch and 500 lbs. safe working load, to allow for moving buoys and sinkers inboard. Tie-down points for cargo

As part of the contract, supporting documentation will be required including:  calculations for structures, stability and electrical loads; 2-D product drawings; detailed master equipment list; and technical manuals for the maintenance and repair of all components