The marine industry is increasingly responding to worldwide demand for environmentally responsible equipment onboard vessels, as September 2009 saw the release of a Hybrid-propulsion fast rescue craft from Fast RSQ of The Netherlands.
The aluminium-hulled FRSQ 700 HYBRID has been designed with the growing environmental awareness and responsibility of end users in mind.
The fast rescue craft delivers zero emissions at low speed or while manoeuvring as well as noiseless drive. The electric drive mode allows a speed of approximately six knots using solely electric water jet propulsion and can be easily switched to the inboard diesel engine, with which the FRSQ 700 HYBRID reaches speeds up to 34 knots.
The hull is strengthened by a system of longitudinal bulkheads and transverse stiffeners and on the outside of the hull there are four spray rails, two on each side of the keel. In total the FRSQ 700 HYBRID has seven compartments. The void compartments are not filled with foam, to make this fast rescue boat more environmentally friendly and the hull fully recyclable.
The FRSQ 700 keel is longer in the direction of the bow which gives a so called 'X-Bow' effect, to create optimum manoeuvring stability at various speeds and weather or sea conditions. The hull, console and spray hood are made of seawater resistant aluminium grade 5083 H11 (AIMg 4.5), 5-20mm thick, to give the boat maximum strength, combined with a lightweight design.
Additionally the FRSQ 700 HYBRID is equipped with an aluminium self-righting frame, which provides the crew an even better grip and all round view during operations at sea.