New rescue boat for the French sea rescue association

The French sea-rescue association (SNSM) has signed a contract to construct a new rescue boat with Alumarine Shipyard for the Morbihan Gulf.

The order follows the 2014 delivery by the same yard of the rescue boat SNS 275 to the coast guard of Le Barcares in the south of France.

The compact and lightweight 11.6-metre SNS 277 will be dedicated to rescue missions including diving, sanitary evacuation and towing of boats in difficulty. As per design requirements, the new boat should be able to intervene very quickly, in optimum comfort and safety conditions, with moderate fuel consumption.

Launching is planned for early 2018.

SNS 277 offers all the features of a lifeboat and, thanks to the close collaboration with SNMS operators, also integrates several tricks that improve the operational aspects of the boat.

The deck plan, completely protected by handrails, has a flat and clear rear deck to facilitate the handling of rescued persons on a stretcher and facilitate the helicopter hoisting.

The asymmetric wheelhouse provides a wide port side-deck and a spacious interior layout. The wheelhouse accommodates two separate areas, the helmsman’s station and the area dedicated to the care of the rescued persons. This area is equipped with separate lights for navigation by night.

The double door at the rear of the wheelhouse and the lateral hull side doors allow easy passage of a stretcher and emergency personnel, which facilitates medical evacuations. The second elevated outdoor helmsman’s station provides expanded vision on the water and facilitates manoeuvres. The lifting boom on the port side and the clear port side-deck allow for the quick lifting of victims by special rescue nets. 

The marking elements, light signals and communication tools allow to intervene whatever the conditions. The position and the type of the various projectors have been carefully studied to optimise both night search and work on deck.

The removable ladder, which can be placed indifferently on port or starboard side, allows divers to go into the water very quickly. The towing function is ensured by the drum and the rear bollard offering a towing capacity of 1.5 tonnes. This bollard has been moved forward and lowered to ensure optimum manoeuvrability.