U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary Flotilla 11 - Bellingham, WA

Mount Vernon Heavy Weather Surf Boats

Alert 11, Fall 2025

Mount Vernon, Wash – Artistic Rendering courtesy of Rozema Boat Works Inc.
Mount Vernon, Wash – Artistic Rendering courtesy of Rozema Boat Works Inc.

In a September 30, 2025, article published by the U.S. Coast Guard's (USCG) acquisition newsroom website, the U.S. Coast Guard awarded an indefinite delivery, indefinite quantity (IDIQ) contract to Rozema Boat Works Inc. of Mount Vernon, Washington, for up to six second-generation special-purpose craft – heavy weather (SPC-HWX II) boats. The contract has a total potential value of $70.9 million, with the first boat expected to be completed in fiscal year 2027.

These 64-foot vessels will replace the 52-foot heavy weather boats that entered service in the 1950s and 1960s and were retired in 2021. Like their predecessors, the new boats will be homeported in the Pacific Northwest.

The SPC-HWX II is designed for extreme conditions, featuring a self-righting capability and the ability to operate in 35-foot seas and 60-knot winds. Powered by twin 1,200-horsepower engines, the boats will have a 48-hour endurance, a top speed of 20 knots, and the ability to tow up to 300 tons. They will be used for a wide range of missions, including search and rescue, law enforcement, and maritime security operations.

U.S. Coast Guard. (2025, September 30). Coast Guard awards contract for new heavy weather surf boats. https://www.dcms.uscg.mil/Our-Organization/Assistant-Commandant-for-Acquisitions-CG-9/Newsroom/Latest-Acquisition-News/Article/4318376/coast-guard-awards-contract-for-new-heavy-weather-surf-boats/

Source: U.S. Coast Guard

Also in this issue

  • Northwest Maritime Apprenticeship

    Pam and Peter taught a class on personal protective equipment use to students in the Northwest Maritime Apprenticeship, which is entering its fourth year.

  • September Flotilla Meeting

    Ethan Weller of the Washington State Emergency Management Division presented “Tsunami Hazards and Risks: Bellingham” to the flotilla.

  • October Flotilla Meeting

    Megan Bugaj, Bellingham’s Aquatic Invasive Species Program Coordinator, spoke at the October meeting, which was preceded by a semi-annual PPE check and included member awards.

  • Member Training

    Congratulations to members for an AuxOp certification, a NW District “Century Club” Award, a 10-year membership certificate and a challenge coin, and a Core Training Blitz was held November 8.

  • Navigation Systems

    All bridge and 61% of PATON assignments are complete, with 17 of 44 PATONs expected to be finished by year end.

  • US Coast Guard Websites

    A guide to Coast Guard websites useful to the public, covering boating safety, navigation information, news, local units and recruiting.

  • Auxiliary in WW2

    A summary of retired Captain Bob Desh’s MyCG article on the World War II “Corsair Fleet,” the Coastal Picket Force of civilian boats modeled on the Auxiliary.

  • Parting Shot

    World War II Corsair Fleet members keep watch for U-boats in cold weather off the U.S. East Coast.

NOTICE/DISCLAIMER

The information contained on this site is for general informational purposes only. It is not guaranteed to be free of errors. Links to non-Coast Guard entities are not under the control of the United States Coast Guard or the United States Coast Guard Auxiliary, and are provided for the convenience of our customers. They do not, in any way, constitute an endorsement of the linked pages or any commercial or private issues or products presented there. We cannot make any warranty or representation concerning the content of these sites, or secondary sites from the pages to which they link.

PRIVACY STATEMENT

This website is for the use of US Coast Guard Auxiliary members and the public who are interested in the activities and education programs of Flotilla 11. No personally identifiable information is captured from viewers of this site, except those who edit or create content. If you do not agree to these terms, please leave the site.
An unhandled error has occurred. Reload 🗙

Rejoining the server...

Rejoin failed... trying again in seconds.

Failed to rejoin.
Please retry or reload the page.

The session has been paused by the server.

Failed to resume the session.
Please retry or reload the page.