New rescue boats to serve Saba and Sint Eustatius islands in Dutch Caribbean

The islands of Saba and Sint Eustatius in the Dutch Caribbean have taken delivery of two new high-speed, shallow-draught search and rescue (SAR) boats in a series built by Habbeke Shipyard in the Netherlands.

Prinses Catharina-Amalia and Nora will be operated out of Saba and Sint Eustatius, respectively, after they are cleared to enter service in November of this year.

The SAR boat for Saba will also be used to provide emergency response support for the island's sole airport, which had been operating without such a vessel for some time. Having a SAR boat available will enable the airport to comply with International Civil Aviation Organisation requirements.

The new aluminium-hulled boats each have an LOA of 9.15 metres, a beam of 3.3 metres, a draught of only 0.7 metre, a displacement of 4.2 tons, twin waterjets that deliver speeds of up to 33 knots, and space for up to 20 rescued survivors in addition to four crewmembers.

A total fuel capacity of 400 litres will provide each boat with a maximum endurance of three and a half hours.