Fast Patrol Craft
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Fast Patrol Craft (PCF), also known as Swift boats, were small, shallow draft water vessels operated by the United States Navy for counterinsurgency (COIN) operations during the Vietnam War. Their origins can be traced to a Naval Advisory Group, Military Assistance Command Vietnam (NAVADGRP MACV) staff study entitled "Naval Craft Requirements in a Counter Insurgency Environment," published 1 February 1965. It noted that "COIN water operations are difficult, demanding, and unique. A prevalent belief has been that COIN craft can readily be obtained from existing commercial and naval sources when needed. Unfortunately, no concerted effort has been made to develop COIN craft specifically suited to perform the many missions needed to combat insurgent activities."
The study went on to list characteristics of the ideal patrol craft:
- Reliable and sturdy
- Non-wooden hull, with screw and rudder protection against groundings
- Self-sufficient for 400 to 500 mile (600 to 800 km) patrol
- Speed of 20 to 25 knots (37 to 46 km)
- Small high-resolution radar range 4 to 6 miles (7 to 11 km)
- Reliable long-range communications equipment, compatible with Army and Air Force
- Quiet
- Armament for limited offense
- Sparse berthing, no messing
- Depth meter, accurate from 0 to 50 feet (15 m)
- Small, powerful searchlight
The study was positively received, and the Navy began to search for sources. Sewart Seacraft of Berwick, Louisiana, built water taxis for companies operating oil rigs in the Gulf of Mexico, which appeared nearly ideal. The Navy bought their plans, and asked Sewart Seacraft to prepare modified drawings that included a gun tub, ammo lockers, bunks, and a small galley. The Navy used those enhanced plans to request bids from other boat builders, but Sewart Seacraft was selected.
The Swift Boats had welded aluminum hulls about 50 feet (15 m) long with 13 ft (4 m) beam, and drafted about five feet (1.5 m). They were powered by twin 480 hp (360 kW) Detroit Diesel engines with a design range from 320 nautical miles at 21 knots (590 km at 39 km/h) to about 750 nautical miles at 10 knots (1390 km at 19 km/h). Normal crew complement was six.
The first two PCFs were delivered to the Navy in late August 1965. The original water taxi design had been enhanced with two .50 caliber (12.7 mm) machine guns in a turret above the pilot house, an over-and-under .50-caliber (12.7 mm) machine gun – 81 mm mortar combination mounted on the rear deck, a mortar ammunition box on the stern, improved habitability equipment such as bunks, a refrigerator and freezer, and a sink.
The original order for 50 boats was followed shortly by an additional order for 54 more of the Mark I design. In latter half of 1967, 46 Mark II boats, with a modified deck house, were constructed, and between 1969 and 1972, 33 Mark IIIs, slightly larger than the Mark II, were built. A total of 193 fast patrol craft were constructed for the United States Navy, the Philippine Navy, Thailand, Cambodia, Brazil and Zaire. In addition, the Philippines and South Vietnam each built a prototype ferro-cement patrol craft as part of a United States-sponsored program for inexpensive mass production of the craft.
U.S. Senator John Kerry served aboard Swift boats for approximately four months of his 16 months total Vietnam service during that war. His service became a particular issue during the 2004 presidential campaign; see John Kerry military service controversy.
Swift boat teams have been sent to assist in Hurricane Katrina rescue efforts.
See also
- Patrol boat, rigid, a similar smaller boat used on rivers.
- Mobile Riverine Force
- Brown Water Navy