U.S. Coast Guard Pursuit class Coastal Patrol Boat (Cutter):


There are quite a number of Coast Guard stations in the United States, some quite large having multiple large cutters, while others are small and only have a single small patrol boat. Some of those smaller stations can be is surprisingly remote areas. Even more than Margaret L. Baker class patrol boats, the Pursuit class coast patrol boats could be found in remote areas.


The militaries of the world were devastated by the magical energies associated with the coming of the Rifts. Coast Guard vessels, because many of them were located in these remote areas, were more often spared than other warship classes. It is believed that a fair number of Pursuit class coast patrol boats survived, even more than the larger Margaret L. Baker class.


As the Margaret L. Baker class patrol boat replaced the larger patrol boat classes, the Pursuit class coast patrol boats replaced most of the smaller patrol boat classes operated by the United States Coast Guard. At ninety-four feet in length, the Pursuit class are considered cutters with any Coast Guard vessels over sixty-five feet long designated as cutters. In total, it believed that over two hundred of Pursuit class coast patrol boats were built for the Coast Guard due to the rise of the new Cold War. Additional boats were produced for foreign military sales.


Unlike the larger Margaret L. Baker class patrol boats, the Pursuit class were not designed for anti-submarine warfare. Instead, they are designs for interdiction, search and rescue, maritime safety, marine fishery enforcement, and security roles. They are also designed for relatively short endurance with around two weeks of supplies carried aboard. Of course after the coming of the Rifts, those operating these boats might carry far greater supplies aboard and expect to operate for far longer than two weeks without resupply.


The hull of the Pursuit class is basically conventional as is the Margaret L. Baker class. Larger cutter classes such as the Valiant medium endurance and Hazard high endurance cutters both are trimaran hull designs however. Constructed of advanced composites, ceramics, and alloys, these coastal patrol boats are extremely tough for their size and are almost immune to the effects of the environment. There were some limited efforts at reducing the radar cross signature of these coast patrol boats but it was not considered a high priority.  


The previous Gyre class coastal patrol boat was fuel cell powered with the Pursuit class being one of the smallest military ship designs at the time which was fusion powered. Compared to the Gyre class, the Pursuit class has virtually unlimited range by its engines although still limited by crew supplies. The reactors are a compact model mounted in light armored vehicles and give a duration of eight years before needing to be refueled. Top speed is less than the Margaret L. Baker class patrol boats with a top speed of forty knots. Still, it is over ten knots faster than the previous Gyre class.


These boats are considered relatively lightly armed, especially when compared to larger Coast Guard designs. On each side of the bow the coastal patrol boat mounts a single M38 heavy rail gun. This is the same rail gun as is carried on the Steel Tiger attack VTOL as well as a number of other aircraft. It is also carried as secondary gun mounts on the Hazard class high endurance cutter. They are not considered effective at engaging missiles or aircraft although are quite effective against small boats.


While fitted to carry additional weaponry, they rarely carried any additional weaponry while in the service of the Coast Guard. The Pursuit was never really expected to engage any vessels with any real heavy weaponry. Options included mounting an automatic grenade launcher. While shorter ranged than the rail gun, the grenade launcher can be highly effective.


 However, this changed after the coming of the Rifts and the Pursuit class began being considered rather under armed. As a result, the people who inherited these coastal patrol boats often end up adding additional weaponry. In addition to the already mentioned automatic grenade launchers, this can include missile launchers and even mortars. For missile launchers, mini-missile launchers are especially popular.


Radar is limited to a surface search system as the boat was not expected to engage aircraft. It does have a radar detector but otherwise does not carry an extensive electronic suite. However, the coast patrol boat does mount an advanced auto-pilot however. A small retractable sonar is fitted although is considered extremely short ranged. In addition, the boat mounts a depth finding system in order to prevent it from running aground.


Standard crew is twelve crew although can be operated by fewer crew. It was decided that a crew of twelve would be required for having enough personnel for watch standing as well as for boarding parties. Up to four additional passengers can be carried aboard the coastal patrol boat in the main berthing compartment. Because the coastal boat is often expected to board other vessels, there are enough weaponry and body armor carried for the entire crew. No marines are usually embarked and there are no provisions for power armors. These is a stern ramp for a rigid hull inflatable boats (RHIB).


Author Note: With respect to time line, these designs may or may not reflect our modern time line. The time line of these writeups diverged from our time line starting around 1999. Consider the universe that these designs are created for to be an alternate universe not bound by ours.


Model Type: WPB-94751 class Coastal Patrol Boat.

Vehicle Type: Ocean, Coastal Patrol Boat.

Crew: 12; 1 officers, 1 chief petty officers, and 10 enlisted (Has a high degree of automation).

Troops / Passengers: Possible 4.


Robots, Power Armors, and Vehicles:

None.


M.D.C. by Location:

 

Bridge / Superstructure:

150.

 

[1] Spotlights (4):

20 each.

 

[2] Short Range Radar Array:

60.

 

USA-M38 Heavy Defense Rail Guns (2):

70 each.

 

Optional: AGL-40 Automatic Grenade Launcher:

50.

 

[3] Main Body:

\400.

Notes:

[1] These are small and difficult targets to strike, requiring the attacker to make a “called shot,” but even then the attacker is -4 to strike.

[2] If the radar system is destroyed, the vessel has to rely on shorter ranged sensors and/or visual navigation.

[3] Destroying the main body causes the vessel to lose structural integrity, causing the vessel to sink. There are enough life preservers and inflatable life boats to accommodate everyone on the vessel.


Speed:

Surface: 46 mph (40 knots/ 74.1 kph) in light to moderate seas.

Range: Effectively unlimited due to fusion engines (needs to refuel every 8 years and requires maintenance as well). Patrol Boat carries two weeks months of supplies on board. This can be increased to three weeks in an emergency and additional supplies can be carried.


Statistical Data:

Draft:    6.4 feet (1.95 meters) not including retractable mini-sonar.

Length:  94 feet (28.65 meters).

Width:   20.5 feet (6.25meters).

Displacement: 92 tons standard and 108 tons fully loaded.

Cargo: Can carry 10 tons (9.07 metric tons) of nonessential equipment and supplies. Each enlisted crew member has a small locker for personal items and uniforms. Vessel’s officers have more space for personal items although still extremely limited. Most of the vessel’s spaces are taken up by extra ammo, armor, troops, weapons, and engines.

Power System: Nuclear Reactor, average life span is 8 years.

Market Cost: Not for sale but if found on the black market would probably cost around 30 to 40 million credits.


Weapon Systems:

Many operators of these boats after the coming of the Rifts add additional weapon systems including missile launchers and mortars.

  1. Two (2) USA-M38 Heavy Defense Rail Guns: These weapons are mounted with one on either side of the bow of the vessel for defense against small boats and similar threats. Not considered effective against aircraft or missiles. The rail guns are more powerful than the rail guns carried on most power armors and have greater range. These are the same rail gun which are mounted on the Super Comanche Helicopter, Steel Tiger Attack VTOL, and Wolverine Amphibious Assault Vehicle but are mounted with the gunners behind a protective shield and the gunner’s have a greater payload.

    Maximum Effective Range: 6,000 feet (1,828 meters).

    Mega-Damage: 2D4x10 M.D.C. per burst of 20. Single shot inflicts 3D6 M.D.C.

    Rate of Fire: Equal to number of combined hand to hand attacks of gunner (usually 4-6).

    Payload: 4,000 rounds (200 bursts) each.

  2. One (1) AGL-40 Automatic Grenade Launcher (Optional): When carried, it is mounted behind the superstructure but was not usually carried in Coast Guard service. United States military weapon which is similar to have a post Rifts WI-GL21 Automatic Grenade Launcher mounted on a pintle type mounting with a gun shield however it fires a slightly smaller round although considered just as effective.

    Maximum Effective Range: 3,000 feet (914 meters)

    Mega-Damage: 4D6 for Fragmentation with a blast area of 12 feet (3.6 meters) and 1D4x10 for Armor Piercing with a blast area of 3 feet (0.9 meter), burst of 10 rounds inflicts 2D6x10 for Fragmentation with a blast area of 40 feet (12 meters) and 3D6x10 for Armor Piercing with a blast area of 8 feet (2.4 meters.)

    Rate of Fire: Equal to number of combined hand to hand attacks of the gunner (usually 4-6).

    Payload: 800 Rounds.

Special Systems:

The vessel has all systems standard on a robot vehicle plus the following special features:


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Writeup by Kitsune (E-Mail Kitsune).


Copyright © 2017, Kitsune. All rights reserved.


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