Two boats were forward deployed to Bahrain in April 2016, with Coastal Riverine Squadron Two being the first to operate the craft in the Persian Gulf while assigned under Task Force 56.

Designed to replace the legacy Riverine Command Boat for open water and near shore operations, the Mark VI is larger, more survivable, and better equipped with modernized weapons, communications, and intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance systems.

The Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said that deliveries of the Mark VI patrol boats to Ukraine will begin in 2022 in 2020.

[10] The Mark VI is 84.8 ft (25.8 m) long,[11] significantly longer than previous classes of Navy patrol boats.

The boats are fully networked with a command, control, communication and computing, surveillance and intelligence (C4SI) suite for enhanced situational awareness, survivability, and multi-mission support which includes flat screen monitors mounted throughout the ship.

Advanced lightweight armor plating is installed around key elements such as the crew compartment, engines and fuel tanks.

The aluminum-hulled Mark VI is powered by two MTU 16V2000M94 diesel engines connected to water jets that propel it faster than 35 knots (40 mph; 65 km/h), with a maximum range of 600 nmi (690 mi; 1,100 km).

[14] Its engine, armament, and other systems are otherwise identical to that of the Mark VI, though its smaller size gives it an endurance of over 24 hours at cruise speed.

[15] It was assigned to Task Force 56 until it was returned to the United States for deactivation in 2018 following arrival of the third (and final) Mark VI craft in Bahrain.

The Coastal Command Boat was not retained on active service due to its unique configuration as a developmental test craft, which posed challenges for logistical and parts support.