Coast Guard gets high-speed boats.

• Author: Foster, Sharon
• Position: Tech Talk

The U.S. Coast Guard is deploying 80 new craft to boost security at various coastal and inland water-ways.

The 25-foot boats--constructed of welded aluminum--are powered by twin V-6 Honda BF225 4-stroke engines. They can reach speeds of 50 mph. The manufacturer is SAFE Boats International, of Port Orchard, Wash.

The boat cabin accommodates a crew of four, with room for six more people for search-and-rescue missions. They also are transportable by C-130 Hercules air transports.

The vessels have a patented...