Rigid buoyant boat

Based on the concept of a rigid-hulled inflatable boat (RHIB), it has a tube/sponson manufactured from a solid material such as moulded polyethylene or aluminium which is much more robust than the fabrics commonly used.

The handling tends to be very similar to a RHIB; likewise they will remain afloat (buoyant) even if completely flooded.

[2][3][4] One supplier has demonstrated the robustness of the boats by dropping one from a crane onto a concrete car park.

[3] The U.S. Navy's small unit riverine craft and the Coast Guard's Defender class 25-foot (7.6 m) boats are examples of RBBs.

If buoyancy chambers are filled the hull becomes truly unsinkable and extremely indestructible, making the RBB very suitable for rough conditions.