ClassX Video Lessons Youtube Channel SmarterEveryDay Why Jet Boats are AWESOME (U.S. Coast Guard’s Workhorse) – Smarter Every Day 272
Hey there! I’m Destin, and welcome back to Smarter Every Day. We’re diving deep into the amazing work of the US Coast Guard. We’ve already explored how they respond to distress signals and the science behind their search patterns. There’s so much more cool stuff to share, and I’m excited to take you along for the ride.
Today, we’re focusing on one of the Coast Guard’s most important tools: the Response Boat Medium (RBM). This boat is truly amazing! It’s 45 feet long, controlled by computers, and can move in super cool ways. Instead of just telling you about it, let’s watch some awesome footage from the Coast Guard to see what this boat can do.
In one clip, you can see people floating on a capsized boat. The RBM arrives quickly and rescues them from the water. That’s what this boat is all about—getting to people fast and saving lives.
In another scene, the RBM helps evacuate someone from a cruise ship during a medical emergency. And in yet another clip, it responds to a distress call 24 miles off the coast of Texas. You can see how powerful the boat is as it stays steady around a sailboat to rescue four people.
Sometimes, the RBM is used to catch people doing illegal things. In one video, a person tries to escape on a boat loaded with illegal stuff. The RBM and its skilled crew stop the boat by disabling its motors.
I visited the Coast Guard station in Destin, Florida, to learn more about how they operate. Cory Palmer, the senior chief there, showed me around the RBM. He explained its features and how it works.
The RBM has a jet drive, which is super cool. It even has air conditioning to keep things comfortable. Inside, there’s a space for rescued people, a simple kitchen, and a bathroom.
The engine room is fascinating. The RBM is powered by two Detroit diesel engines, each with 825 horsepower. It can zoom at speeds of 41 to 43 knots. The boat can stop quickly by using “buckets” to change the direction of the water thrust.
I got a close look at the jet drives. The water intake system lets the boat move in different directions, and hydraulic controls help with steering and propulsion. The crew does checks before every mission to make sure everything is working perfectly.
The RBM is packed with advanced technology, allowing it to work in all kinds of conditions, even icy waters and rough seas. The crew is highly trained and dedicated to their mission.
On our way back to base, I chatted with some crew members about their experiences and dreams. They love their work and know how important their roles are in the Coast Guard.
This episode of Smarter Every Day is sponsored by KiwiCo, which offers educational boxes for kids to learn about science, technology, engineering, arts, and math. It’s a great way for kids to build confidence and learn new skills.
Thanks for joining me on this journey to learn more about the US Coast Guard and the incredible work they do!
Design and build a simple model of the Response Boat Medium using materials like cardboard, plastic bottles, or LEGO. Focus on replicating the jet drive system. This hands-on activity will help you understand the boat’s design and functionality.
In groups, role-play a rescue mission scenario. Assign roles such as the Coast Guard crew, people in distress, and a narrator. Use props to simulate the rescue operation and discuss the strategies used by the Coast Guard to ensure safety and efficiency.
Research how jet propulsion works and its advantages over traditional propeller systems. Create a presentation to share your findings with the class, highlighting how this technology benefits the Coast Guard’s operations.
Prepare a set of questions and conduct a virtual or in-person interview with a local Coast Guard member. Learn about their experiences, the challenges they face, and the technology they use. Share your insights with the class.
Create a poster that illustrates the safety features and protocols of the Response Boat Medium. Include information on how the boat is equipped to handle emergencies and the importance of these features in saving lives.
Sure! Here’s a sanitized version of the transcript, removing any inappropriate language or sensitive content while maintaining the overall message:
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Hey, what’s up? I’m Destin. Welcome back to Smarter Every Day. We are right in the middle of a Deep Dive series into the US Coast Guard and all the impressive things they do. We’ve already looked at how they respond to distress signals and the science of search patterns, and there’s a ton of other fascinating content that I’ve filmed. I’m excited to share it with you.
Today, we’re going to look at one of the workhorses of the US Coast Guard: the Response Boat Medium. This boat is incredible. It’s 45 feet long, computer-controlled, and has hyper maneuverability. Instead of me explaining what it does, let’s check out some public domain footage released by the Coast Guard and see what this boat can do.
Here’s some footage of survivors floating on top of their capsized boat. The Response Boat Medium arrives on scene and the survivors are rescued. This is the core function of this boat—it gets to the scene quickly and rescues people from the water.
In another example, you can see the RBM evacuating a person off a cruise ship for a medical emergency. Here’s another clip of an RBM responding to a distress call 24 miles off the coast of Texas. You can see the powerful jets working to keep it in position around a sailboat while they save the people on board. They ended up rescuing four individuals during this call.
While many people are excited to see the RBM, there are times when that’s not the case. In one clip, we see a person on a heavily loaded boat, which unfortunately is loaded with illegal substances. The RBM approaches, and the individual attempts to flee. At that point, the highly trained Coast Guard personnel take action to neutralize the outboard motors on the boat.
Today, I’m thrilled to continue the Coast Guard deep dive with you, and we’re going to learn everything we can about the Response Boat Medium. So, let’s get smarter every day!
I went to the Coast Guard station in Destin, Florida, where I learned a lot about how a normal Coast Guard station operates. Cory Palmer, the senior chief at Station Destin, is going to give me an introduction to the RBM. We’ll walk out and he’ll provide an overview of the boat and its features.
The RBM has a jet drive, which I’ve never interacted with before, but I hear it’s quite impressive. This boat even has air conditioning, which is a plus in the heat. Inside, there’s a compartment for survivors, a rudimentary kitchen, and a head.
The engine room is fascinating. The RBM is powered by two Detroit diesel engines, each producing 825 horsepower. It can reach speeds of 41 to 43 knots. The boat is very maneuverable and can stop quickly by using what they call “buckets” to redirect thrust.
I got to see the jet drives up close. The water intake system allows the boat to move in different directions, and the hydraulic controls manage the steering and propulsion. The crew performs pre-mission checks to ensure everything is functioning properly before heading out to sea.
The RBM is equipped with advanced technology that allows it to operate in various conditions, including icy environments and rough seas. The crew members are highly trained and dedicated to their mission.
As we return to base, I had a casual conversation with some of the crew members about their experiences and aspirations. They expressed their passion for their work and the importance of their roles in the Coast Guard.
This episode of Smarter Every Day is sponsored by KiwiCo, which provides educational boxes for kids to learn about science, technology, engineering, arts, and math. It’s a fantastic way for children to build confidence and learn new skills.
Thank you for joining me on this journey to learn more about the US Coast Guard and the incredible work they do.
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This version maintains the informative nature of the original transcript while ensuring it is appropriate for all audiences.
Boat – A small vessel used for traveling over water, typically propelled by oars, sails, or an engine. – The scientists used a boat to collect water samples from the middle of the lake for their research.
Coast Guard – A branch of a nation’s armed forces responsible for the protection of coastal waters and the enforcement of maritime law. – The Coast Guard was called to assist in the rescue operation after the storm damaged several boats near the shore.
Technology – The application of scientific knowledge for practical purposes, especially in industry. – Advances in technology have allowed engineers to design more efficient solar panels for renewable energy.
Engine – A machine with moving parts that converts power into motion. – The engineers tested the new engine to ensure it could provide enough power for the aircraft.
Rescue – The act of saving someone from a dangerous or distressing situation. – The rescue team used a helicopter to reach the hikers stranded on the mountain.
Water – A transparent, tasteless, odorless, and nearly colorless chemical substance, which is the main constituent of Earth’s streams, lakes, and oceans. – Scientists study the properties of water to understand its role in climate change.
Drive – To operate and control the direction and speed of a vehicle. – The engineer learned how to drive the new electric car prototype during the test phase.
Signals – Transmissions or indications used to convey information or instructions. – The satellite sends signals back to Earth to provide data on weather patterns.
Systems – Sets of connected things or parts forming a complex whole, in particular. – The solar system consists of the sun and the celestial bodies that orbit it, including planets and moons.
Propulsion – The action of driving or pushing forward. – The new rocket design uses advanced propulsion technology to reach outer space more efficiently.
