Building on lessons learned from many years of designing fast maritime craft, Damen Shipyards, Delft Technical University and De Vries Lentsch Yacht Designers and Naval Architects have teamed up to design and build the next-generation of all-weather fast rescue lifeboats for the Royal Netherlands Sea Rescue Institution (KNRM).  

The most notable feature of this new vessel is its sharp “axe-bow” which gives the vessel a finer entry to help reduce the punishing g-forces experienced in heavy weather, while providing more buoyancy in the bow.

According to KNRM, this design is expected to reduce the g-forces by at least 40 percent, giving the vessel greater average speed to the scene of a rescue and reducing wear and tear on the vessel and crew.

The following renderings are via Damen

The following images, via KNRM – Koninklijke Nederlandse Redding Maatschappij, show the Damen-built NH1816 going through a self-righting test at Damen Shipyards in the Netherlands on 30 October.

Vessel information:

• Length overall: 19.30 m.
• Beam: 6.54 (including heavy duty ‘D’ shaped fenders)
• Draft: 1.10 m. (reduced draft for operation in shallow waters)
• Weight: 32.5 tonnes
• Minimum Crew: 6
• Fuel oil: 4.9 m3, 4.16 ton
• Carrying max. 120 people (25 inside)
• Construction: Marine grade light alloy chined hull and mechanical mounted composite wheelhouse
• Classification: Lloyds Register, notation: ✠ 100 A1, SSC Patrol, HSC, G3[✠] LMC
• Typical endurance: 12 hours at 25 Knots plus 4 hours at 12 Knots, giving a 348 Nautical miles range.
• Max. speed at trial conditions: 31 Kts.
• Propulsion: 2 x MTU 8V2000M84L engines with Hamilton 571 water-jets and ZF 2000 gearboxes
• Electronics: integrated bridge (SIMS, Ships Information and Management System) with multifunctional, touch screen based system, covering navigation, communication, operational information and signalizing of equipment. Five compatible touch screens mounted for the 3 front row crew positions.
• Voyage Data Recorder, several CCTV units, wireless intercom, etc.
• Picking up people in horizontal position from the water with hydraulic rescue platform
• Two stretchers for patient transport
• Towing of small pleasure and fishing craft (bollard pull 7 ton)
• Fire fighting on small craft
• Technical assistance for small craft.
• Significant noise reduction. Set at max. 75 Db
• Focus on restricted emission (meet IMO tier 2 – 3 emission standards) and other environmental aspects (outside noise

For more on this vessel, watch the following video: