Gugliotta Guy - Swift Boats at War in Vietnam

Length:

50 feet 11/2 inches

Beam:

13 feet 61/2 inches

Full load draft:

5 feet 10 inches

Construction:

Hull/superstructure 1/4-inch aluminum alloy construction

Weight:

34,913 lbs. empty. 47,047 lbs. with full war load of fuel and ammunition.

Displacement:

42,500 lbs.

Engines:

Two General Motors 12V71N Detroit marine diesels; port model #7122-3000, starboard model #7122-7000, each equipped with two 4-71 blowers and rated at 480 horsepower with Twin Disc 1.5:1 reduction gears and driving two counter-rotating 28 inch bronze screws.

Fuel:

800 gallons, diesel or JP-5 in an emergency, in three fuel tanks.

Construction:

The PCF (Patrol Craft Fast) is divided into seven compartments: forepeak, crew quarters, pilothouse, main cabin, stowage compartment, engine room, and lazarette.

FOREPEAK

The forepeak is used as a storage area. Access to this compartment is through the forepeak hatch in the main deck just forward of the pilothouse.

CREW QUARTERS

The crew quarters has berthing for three personnel, storage areas for personal gear, and a toilet. Access to the crew quarters is either down a ladder from the main cabin or through an escape hatch located on the forward main deck.

PILOTHOUSE

The pilothouse is equipped with the necessary controls and indicators to operate the propulsion engines, diesel generator, two .50-caliber machine guns (located in the gun tub mounted in the aft center overhead), and electrical systems and to navigate the PCF.

MAIN CABIN

The main cabin contains berthing for two; a galley area with griddle, refrigerator, and sink; radio/radar area; a small arms locker; storage cabinets; and two CO fire extinguishers. Access to the main cabin is through the main deck hatch on the aft end of the main cabin, or by ladder down from the pilothouse, or up from the crew quarters.

STOWAGE COMPARTMENT

Below deck in the main cabin, the stowage compartment contains ammunition storage, the forward fuel tank, and the two engine control units. The remaining space is utilized for storage. Access to the compartment is through the bilge hatch located in the main cabin, under the ladder to the pilothouse. Three access hatches are provided in the main cabin, one for the forward fuel tank and two for the ammunition boxes.

ENGINE ROOM

The engine room houses the two propulsion engines, diesel generator, two 24v battery sets, storage access for service manuals and tools, exhaust systems for the engines and generator, a 5-gallon lube oil can, piping necessary for the bilge system, engine and generator seawater cooling systems, fuel system, 24v DC source

of power switch, and AC source of power switch. Access to the engine room is through two hinged hatches on the main deck just aft of the main cabin.

LAZARETTE

The lazarette houses the two aft fuel tanks, fresh-water tank, steering gear, rudder tillers, and two 5-gallon lube oil cans. Access to the lazarette is through an access hatch located on the aft port corner of the aft deck. Two soft-patch hatches, on the aft deck, provide access to the fuel tanks.

Electrical:

Two engine-driven alternators charge four 24v batteries that provide the main source of electrical power for main engine starting, general purpose lighting, search lights, navigational lights, radar, and URC-58 radio. There are two 24v battery banks.

6.0kW Onan diesel-driven AC generator provides 120v 50 amp electrical power for radios, signal lights, refrigerator, griddle, and cooking outlet.

Electronics:

Decca D202 surface search radar, maximum range of 24 miles.

Raytheon DE-736A fathometer, maximum depth range of 240 feet.

AN/URC-58 Single Side Band radio, 2 to 15 MHz, can operate on upper sideband, lower sideband, AM, or CW. Output is 100 watts. This was the PCFs primary communications equipment and was used for long-range boat-to-base communications. This radio normally operated on 120v DC power but could be operated on 24v DC if necessary.

AN/VRC-46 FM radio, 30.00 to 79.95 MHz (short rangeboat-to-boat or boat-to-shore for coordination with other units).

AN/PRC-10/25 FM, 30.00 to 79.95 MHz portable field radio (used by off-boat inspection parties and to coordinate with other units ashore).

Miscellaneous

Equipment:

Two main engine-driven bilge pumps.

Danforth/White magnetic compass on pilothouse console.

6-inch portable search light, visible at 4-mile range

Spotlight, used to illuminate targets at 250- to 300-yard range, mounted on pilothouse roof and controlled from inside the pilothouse by the helmsman.