The US Coast Guard 44 Foot Motor Life Boat was the workhorse
of the rescue boat fleet. Originally designed in 1961, the steel-hulled
44-foot motor life boats were built at the U.S. Coast Guard Yard in Curtis
Bay, MD., between 1963 and 1972. Motor lifeboats are the workhorses of many
Coast Guard rescue stations. They are built to withstand the most severe
conditions at sea and are capable of affecting a rescue at sea even under
the most difficult circumstances. They are self-bailing, self-righting,
almost unsinkable, and have a long cruising radius for their size. If one of
these boats gets turned over on its back, its righting capabilities will
turn it right side up in 30 seconds or less. They are designed to operate in
30-foot seas and 20-foot breaking surf and up to 50 miles offshore. The
44-footers have been replaced one for one by the newer 47-footer. One
operational 44-footer (44301) remains in service today at Chatham,
Massachusetts, because the draft of the new 47 footer is too deep for the
shallower bar conditions there. One other 44 is at Group Woods Hole, MA. to be
used as a parts boat.This web site is dedicated to the
restoration and continued operation of motor life boat 44376. You will learn
about this boats history and the entire restoration process as well as other
44 foot motor life boat links and resources for restoration. If you have any
questions, comments, or tour requests, please e-mail or call.
Contact information:
Jeff Shook at 810-750-9870 or preferably by e-mail at
rescuetwo@aol.com
Throughout this site, click on the 44 MLB in the upper
left hand side to come back to the home page.
