response vessel diminished making the 30 footers obsolete. The class of vessels underwent an overhaul in the early nineties to extend their life until the newer and faster 47' motor lifeboats came into service and in the late 1990s most of the 30 footers were de-commissioned. One still remains on active duty at Motor Lifeboat Station Depoe Bay in Depoe Bay, Oregon and is used almost daily. This station was host to the last 36' motor lifeboat in the late 1980s. Even though the boats have many quirks, including "dynamic instability", where the boat becomes unstable at high speeds, many surfmen who became qualified on the boats have sworn by them. Sometimes referred to as a sports car compared to a tractor, referring to the larger MLBs, they are challenging to learn to operate but once mastered one of the most seaworthy boats the Coast Guard has used. See also Lifeboat (rescue) USCG 47' MLB USCG Utility Boat References Ships of the United States Coast Guard Motor lifeboats of the United States