Self righting lifeboats for the Netherlands Antilles

The Royal Netherlands Lifeboat Organization (KNRM) and the Citizens Rescue Organization (CITRO) of Curacao in the Netherlands Antilles, have taken their new self righting rescue craft into service.

The Fast Rescue Craft 903- Twin lifeboats were built by Habbeké Shipyard in Volendam. The boats are a specially developed type with self-righting installation for use on open water, such as the Wadden and North Sea. The boats have a length of 9.15m, with a 3.30m beam and can reach a maximum speed of 36 knots. They are equipped with two Steyr SE266E40 engines powering two UltraJet 251 waterjets. The crew consists of four people who can be seated on specially designed chairs behind the sheltered centre console. The rescue capacity of the craft is 20 people.

As befits vessels which have to perform in sea conditions where other boats prefer to be in harbour, Fast Rescue Craft 903 are built to the highest quality in order to meet the exacting standards of national and international safety organisations.

Habbeké Shipyard told MJ that the boats were fully tested before use, including their self-righting capacity and withstood all the tests with flying colours.