Value Added for Government Applications
Savings in using our Rat Shields

Our OFFBoard® Vermin Shields offer more protection and better performance than existing Rat Guard's. You can also order by emailing Art Onweller or faxing (303-670-5061) a Purchase Requisition. We will provide a quote on shipping cost A.S.A.P."

We've outfitted the following Hamilton, Legend, Juniper class ships and tugs with our OFFBoard® 17 Inch Rat Shields:

• USCGC Bertholf (WMSL-750) - 415' Legend Class Ship
• USCGC Aspen (WLB-208) - 225' Juniper Class Ship
• USCGC Fir (WLB-213) - 225' Juniper Class Ship
• USCGC Gallatin (WHEC-721) - 378-foot High Endurance Cutter
• USCGC Hickory (WLB-212) - 225' Juniper Class Ship
• USCGC Maple (WLB-207) - 225' Juniper Class Ship
• USCGC Maui (WPB-1304) - 110' Patrol Cutter
• USCGC Midgett (WHEC-726) - 378' Hamilton Class Ship
• USCGC Neah Bay (WTGB-105) - 140' Ice Breaking Tug
• USCGC Penobscot Bay (WTGB-107) - 140' Icebreaking Tug
• USCGC Rush (WHEC-723) - 378' Hamilton Class Cutter
• USCGC Sycamore (WLB-209) - 225' Juniper Class Ship
• USCGC Walnut (WLB-205) - 225' Juniper Class Ship
• Okeanos - 224' NOAA Ocean Floor Explorer Vessel
• SIKULIAQ - 261' NOAA Research Vessel

For more photo's and information on these ships and more, click the links above and here for photos.

If you are a government purchaser and would like to order our products using the DOD EMall click here.

OFFBoard® Shield Benefits

• OFFBoard® Shields stop vermin (rats, mice, iguanas, etc.) from traversing mooring lines or utility cables by presenting a uniform barrier.
• OFFBoard® Shields are made of Polypropylene with stainless steel components. The stainless steel spring door opens and closes easily making installation and removal ideal.
• OFFBoard® Shields uses adjustable inserts for the shield opening from 1/2 in. to 2.5 inches to support five different mooring line sizes to match the application. (Mooring line, Electric line, Water hose, etc.)
• OFFBoard® Shields do not damage mooring lines or utility cables.
• OFFBoard® Shield are inexpensive.
• OFFBoard® Shields are safe because they do not have sharp metalic edges.
• OFFBoard® Shields grip and stay perpendicular to the line even when the line is in water. It stays closed and in place.
• OFFBoard® Shields are flat and light weight for easier storage and handling. It will also float if dropped in the water.

Mooring line wear and cutting is an expensive aspect of maintenance and we can help reduce that cost significantly.  Many mooring lines are damaged and cut due to poor quality rat guards. The picture below was obtained from the Maritime School web site. Notice the mooring line damage and the School’s attempt to wrap the line in a leather sleeve to minimize line cutting. The cutting is caused by the sharp edges of the metal device and the sawing movement caused by the wind hitting the device. The value is the savings realized in extending the life of mooring lines. Our OFFBoard® Shield has greater utility and works on rope or metal cable mooring lines (see picture), electrical cables and water lines from 3/8 to 2.5 inches in diameter.

Use OFFBoard® Rat Shields on all ships as well as support craft. Vermin eat plastic covered wiring to get the salt content in the plastic. A rat on a ship can raise havoc by shorting out wiring and can even destroy electronic equipment and weapons systems. It is well known that vermin can have fleas that carry bubonic plague. They can also carry various viruses such as hantavirus.  The hantavirus is present in the feces and urine. When deposited, the virus is active for over 24 hours, or longer, if not exposed to sunlight or ultraviolet light.  Thus anyone trying to clean up the feces can be exposed to the virus unless they wear protective clothing as recommended by the Center for Disease Control (CDC) and the Environment Protection Agency (EPA). Hantavirus has no known cure and has a 46% human death rate.

Here are some images of OFFBoard® Rat Shields being used on the Midway Carrier in San Diego. For an article on our products use on the Midway, click here (.pdf).

The San Diego Aircraft Carrier Museum

OFFBoard on mooring line of Midway

If you are a government purchaser and would like to order our products using the DOD EMall click here.