Patrol Boat, Rigid (sometimes River or Riverine), or PBR, is the US Navy designation for a type of rigid hulled patrol boat used in the Vietnam War from March 1966 until the end of 1970. They were deployed in a force that grew to 140, the most common craft in the Mobile Riverine Force, and were used to stop and search traffic in areas such as the Mekong Delta in an attempt to disrupt weapons shipments. In this role they frequently became involved in firefights with enemy soldiers on boats and on the shore.  PBR's were also used to infiltrate Navy SEAL teams.  

The PBR was a versatile boat with a fiberglass hull and water jet drive which enabled it to operate in shallow, weed-choked rivers. It drew only two feet of water fully loaded. The drives could be pivoted to reverse direction, turn the boat in its own length, or come to a stop from full speed in a few boat lengths.

The PBR was manufactured in two versions, the first with 31 foot length and 10 foot, 7 inch beam. The Mark II version 32 feet long and one foot wider beam, had improved drives to reduce fouling, and aluminum gunwales to resist wear. It usually operated with a crew of four.

They were powered by dual 220 hp (164 kW) Detroit Diesel engines with Jacuzzi Brothers water jet drives The boats reached top speeds of 28.5 knots (53 km/h). The boat was typically armed with twin .50 caliber (12.7 mm) machine guns (the forward '50s), an M60 7.62 mm machine gun, a Mark 18 grenade launcher, and sometimes a 20 mm cannon. The machine gunners and conning station were protected with ceramic armor .

A PBR is the setting for much of the action in the film Apocalypse Now.

See also

• Swift boat - a similar but larger boat used on the coasts and in the Mekong Delta of Vietnam.

External links

• Rivervet website
• Riverine Force History