The pursuit boat is propelled by water jets, and can go very fast. The lack of a propeller makes it easier to drive up the ramp. The pursuit boat's water jets enable it to reboard the parent vessel even when she is proceeding at high speed. Only one crew member is required back on the parent vessel's deck to deploy or re-acquire the pursuit boat.

Sentinel class cutter's secondary armament is four crew-served Browning fifty caliber heavy machine guns.

Sentinel class cutter's secondary armament is four crew-served Browning fifty caliber heavy machine guns.

Sentinel class cutter's secondary armament is four crew-served Browning fifty caliber heavy machine guns.

Sentinel class cutter's secondary armament is four crew-served Browning fifty caliber heavy machine guns.

Partly visible here is the vessel's main armament -- a 25mm autocannon. It is a naval version of the Bushmaster autocannon that arms many wheeled armored vehicles and the Bradley IFV . It is operated by remote control from a weapons station on the bridge.

The vessel is powered by four diesel engines, and they exhaust out the side of the vessel. The black teardrops mask the soot stains that would ring the exhaust.

The vessel is powered by four diesel engines, and they exhaust out the side of the vessel. The black teardrops mask the soot stains that would ring the exhaust.

Entrance to the stern launching ramp .

The bridge of Sentinel class cutters is about twice as large as that of the Island class cutters they replace -- necessary as the more modern vessels are more automated, and need room for the extra electronic equipment without making the crew members bump into one another.