71 JULY 2026 MEMBER NEWS T he U.S. Coast Guard and PVA member Rozema Boat Works authenticated the keel for the first special purpose craft – heavy weather (SPC-HWX II) during a ceremony in Mount Vernon, Wash., marking a construction milestone on a vessel that will enhance the Coast Guard’s ability to operate in extreme weather and surf conditions in the Pacific Northwest. A keel authentication is a time-hon- ored maritime tradition marking the formal start of a vessel’s construction. Rear Adm. Jon Hickey, deputy com- mandant for systems, component acquisition executive and chief ac- quisition officer for the Coast Guard attended the event with Rep. Rick Larsen, D-Wash.; and other guests. During the ceremony, Larsen and Chief Warrant Officer Beth Slade, commanding officer of the National Motor Lifeboat School, welded their initials into the keel, signifying the keel is “well and truly laid.” “This platform is going to bring sig- nificantly enhanced capabilities to the Coast Guard in the Pacific North- west. Most importantly, it’s going to save lives,” Slade said. The Coast Guard plans to acquire up to six SPC-HWX II vessels to replace the 52ʹ heavy weather boats, which entered service in the 1950s and 1960s and retired in 2021. The SPC-HWX II will be homeported in the Pacific Northwest and designed to perform Coast Guard missions in extreme weather and challenging surf conditions beyond the capabilities of other boats. The SPC-HWX II will support search and rescue, disabled vessel towing, law enforcement, ports, waterways and coastal security, as well as other Coast Guard missions. The 64ʹ SPC-HWX II design features self-righting capability and can op- erate in 35ʹ seas, 25ʹ surf, and winds up to 60 knots. Powered by twin 1,200-horsepower diesel engines, it will reach speeds of 20 knots, tow up to 300 tons, and operate up to 150 miles offshore. With accommodation for a relief crew, the SPC-HWX II will have an endurance of up to 48 hours, a critical feature for long-range heavy-weather missions. Delivery of the first SPC-HWX II is scheduled for 2027. MEMBER NEWS Rozema Boat Works Holds Keel Ceremony for New U.S. Coast Guard Vessels ALLAMERICANMARINE.COM At All American Marine, we push the boundaries of passenger vessel design and performance. From advanced hull forms to next-gen hybrid propulsion, every vessel is custom-engineered for efficiency, reliability, and long-term performance. Proven on the water and trusted by repeat operators from coast to coast. Scan to see how we’re shaping the future of passenger vessels.
View this content as a flipbook by clicking here.