New enforcers for Mexican Navy - marine propulsion - Northwind Marine Inc

Diesel Progress North American Edition, Sept, 2003

Northwind Marine, Inc., Seattle, Wash., has delivered a group of four "enforcers" to the Mexican Navy. Rather than weapons, these particular enforcers are Enforcer 28 aluminum-rigid-hull inflatable boats (ARIB) that Northwind has developed over the past four years.

A-RIBs combine tough aluminum with collars of inflatable polyurethane for a durable, highly stable craft that has gained increasing popularity among operators of small boats in rough water. Carried aboard special davits on the Mexican Navy's advanced new light frigates, the latest A-RIBs serve as rescue, boarding or chase boats. The navy operates as part of the Secretaria de Marina de Mexico.

While the hull is designed to be quite stable and seaworthy; if the boat is upset in rough water, a Wing Inflatable self-righting bag system will return the boat to an upright position in five seconds. Wing Inflatables, headquartered in Arcata, Calif., supplies the polyurethane sponsons used on Northwind's boats.

Bruce Reagan, Northwind president, pointed out that design of the boat had to take both self-righting requirements and protection of air intake and exhaust systems into account. These systems automatically seal if the boat tips over.

The vessels are powered by Yanmar 6LP-STZE marine diesel engines rated 315 hp that directly drive Hamilton 241 waterjets through 14.5 in. driveshafts. Maximum speed of the Enforcer boats is 40 knots. A 12 V, 70 amp d.c. alternator is belt driven off tire engine. The electrical power system includes two Optimax heavy-duty marine batteries, isolation boxes and switches. The Guest marine battery charger includes a standard shore power terminal. A Rule 200 gpm bilge pump is installed in the engine space.

The boats will be used for boarding, patrol, interdiction duties including occasional beaching, and other utility tasks for the frigates--the ARM Guanajuato and the ARM Veracruz. The boats meet Lloyds specifications for special service crab and are heavily constructed of welded marine aluminum by USCG certified welders.

The hull structure and other component parts developed using CAD/CAM engineering were shaped by a plasma-cutting machine. Northwind Marine boat building is supported by Northwest Plasma Cutting, an associated company that provides cutting services for a variety of aluminum boat builders.

The Enforcer boats are 27 ft. 10 in. long. Maximum beam is 8 ft. 10 in. and draft is 1 ft. 9 in. Half load displacement is 3.11 tons. An incorporated fuel cell will hold 160 gal. of diesel fuel. Morse engine controls feature binnacle style control heads.