Two Mark VI Patrol Boats assigned to Coastal Riverine Group (CRG) 1 have conducted longest transit ever made in the Pacific, Pentagon said in a statement.

Two Mark VI Patrol Boats assigned to Coastal Riverine Group (CRG) 1, Detachment (Det.) Guam, completed a 500 nautical mile long-range transit, Dec. 28-29.

The successful transit helped gauge the operational reach of the MK VI Patrol Boats to provide reliable planning factors and considerations to navigate MK VI Patrol Boats to Yap, Federated States of Micronesia.

Mark VI patrol boats have been utilized recently during Super Typhoon Yutu relief efforts in Tinian and Saipan. They were instrumental in delivering service members from joint services, supplies and equipment that was essential in recovery efforts.

“The transit is the longest these boats have ever made in the Pacific,” said Lt. Cmdr. Greg Dusetzina, Coastal Riverine Squadron 3 Alpha, officer in charge. “It’s incredibly valuable to test the endurance of these boats, which will give the crews and leadership confidence in the platform and thereby expanding the operational reach of MK VI to our close and valued partners in the Federated States of Micronesia and Palau.” 

The transit tested the operational reach of the Mark VI Patrol Boat while taking into consideration the effects of fuel burn rates, crew fatigue, weather and boat reliability.

During the transit, the patrol boats accomplished an average speed of 25 knots with well-kept conditions for the crew. 

CRG 1 Det. Guam conducts maritime security operations across the full spectrum of naval, joint and combined operations providing additional capabilities of port security, embarked security, and theater security cooperation. 

CRG 1 Det. Guam is assigned to Commander, Task Force (CTF) 75, the primary expeditionary task force responsible for the planning and execution of coastal riverine operations, explosive ordnance disposal, diving engineering and construction, and underwater construction in the U.S. 7th fleet area of operations.