Patrol Boat, River Mk II #2238"never get off the boat" The Patrol Boat, River (also known as patrol boat, riverine or PBR) was an American boat used to patrol rivers and transport soldiers. Its characteristics were very small immersion, which owed to the fiberglass hull and water jet propulsion allowing to swim on the seas. The boat reached a top speed of 28. 5 knots (53 km h 32 mph). The crew consisted of four soldiers. Typically, a first class officer served as a boat captain