A brief description of the MV Pailolo:
This is one of the most unique and ruggedly designed RIBs ever built. Made by Novamarine and delivered to the US Navy in 1993, it's one of only 18 built in a special project for the Navy's Combatant Craft Department for use by elite Special Boat Units to insert, support and extract SEALs and other Special Operations teams in "over the horizon" missions in extreme conditions. It was used for training and Special Operations missions around the world - at least 3 sister boats are reportedly still in service in the Gulf. This is what SEALS go to work in!
The boat is a 30' Rigid Inflatable powered by twin 300hp Iveco diesel engines turning PP Jet drives. It's ideally suited for the most demanding commercial purposes such as ocean rafting and adventure tours or expeditions, rescue, diving, towing, and shuttle/supply or crew delivery in heavy-weather conditions. Nearly every aspect of the boat is overbuilt and extremely heavy duty, with system redundancy in critical areas - it's truly the ultimate in reliability and stability.
Here are the basic boat specifications, according to Navy documentation:
• Year of Manufacture: 1993
• Manufacturer: Novamarine America, Inc.
• Location of Build: Largo, Florida
• LOA: 30'
• Beam: 10'8" (the boat measures 11'6" with tubes inflated)
• Engines: Twin 300hp Iveco 8061 diesels
• Propulsion: Parker PP Jets
• Hull #: 30RB9108
• Hoisting weight (max): 12000 lbs
• Displacement (Full Load): 14700 lbs
• Displacement (Unladen): 9700 lbs
• Payload (max): 5000lbs
• Fuel capacity: 150 gallons in two 75 gallon tanks
• Hull Material: GRP
• Inflatable tube: Neoprene/ hypalon coated fabric (9 chambers)
• Speed (max): 40 knots
• Speed (Cruise): 30 knots
Range (max payload): 150 miles
In order to get the Pailolo and vessels like her to their mission sites, the Seals would load her into a C-130 aircraft and then push her out at 2000ft, with the crew following shortly thereafter.
