U.S. Army receives SOLAS 670 rescue boat from Willard Marine

ANAHEIM, Calif., Jan. 28 (UPI) -- Willard Marine delivered a SOLAS 670 rescue boat to the U.S. Army to support the USACE Dredge McFarland in Philadelphia.

The boat is fitted with a Volvo Penta D3 220hp inboard engine and a Hamilton Jet HJ2274 water jet. It can carry nine passengers and travel at speeds up to 26.5 knots. Willard Marine president and CEO Ulrich Gottschling says the design makes the boat ideal for rescue operations.

"In an emergency at sea, people need a rescue boat they can count on," Gottschling said in a statement.

In its service with the U.S. Army, the SOLAS 670 will support the USACE Dredge McFarland, which maintains the navigation channel of the Delaware River and Bay.

In addition to the Army, Willard Marine also manufactured SOLAS 670 vessels for the U.S. Military Sealift Command, the U.S. Navy, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, and others.