Silver Ships, Mobile, Ala., has completed testing and delivery of an assault amphibian safety boat (AASB) for the U.S. Marine Corps and Navy, marking the 25th of 31 vessels delivered on schedule. The first hull was built and tested in under nine months after the initial contract award, Silver Ships highlighted in a press release.
The AASB supports amphibious training for the Marine Corps, working with amphibious assault vehicles (AAVs) and amphibious combat vehicles (ACVs) both in the U.S. and overseas. The 39’x10’ vessel can transport 28 passengers and is equipped with communications, safety, and rescue equipment for offshore and nighttime operations.
Designed for shallow-water operations, the AASB has a 2’ draft and a 25-degree deadrise to handle rough conditions, Silver Ships said. It is powered by twin 250-hp Mercury SeaPro outboards, with a full load weight of 16,195 lbs. and a fuel capacity of 250 gals.
“We made this project a top priority for rapid production because our U.S. Marine Corps and U.S. Navy customers had an urgent operational need for the boats to be built quickly,” said Shawn Lobree, Silver Ships director of federal programs. “We worked closely with our U.S. Marine Corps and U.S. Navy partners to deliver a reliable and very rugged boat that can stand up to continuous use in harsh marine environments.”
Silver Ships has worked with the U.S. military for more than 35 years, designing and building mission-specific vessels.
