Emergency Service Vessel News Roundup | April 27 – Uganda ambulance boat, firefighting vessels for Singapore and more
EMERGENCY SERVICES WEEK
Deliveries include a new ambulance boat for western Uganda and a bespoke rescue vessel for a Scottish airport operator. A South African firm introduces new patrol boat designs for coast guard use. Finally, a UK naval architecture firm has been selected to supply the Singaporean government with two new firefighting vessels boasting advanced features.
New ambulance boat to serve western Uganda rural communities
The Ugandan Ministry of Health recently donated a new ambulance boat that will perform medical transport and search and rescue (SAR) duties in western Uganda’s Kabale and Rubanda districts.
The boat has seating for eight people and is powered by two Suzuki outboard engines. The onboard medical equipment includes stretchers, rescuscitating kits, and oxygen cylinders.
The vessel belongs to a series of 14 that have been donated by the Ministry of Health to some of the country’s outlying rural areas that are lacking in medical transport and SAR assets. Funding for the boats’ purchase was provided by the Ugandan government and various local and international partners including UNICEF.
Scottish airport operator acquires bespoke rescue vessel
Highlands and Islands Airports, an airport operator in Scotland, has taken delivery of a new rescue boat from Ribcraft RIBs.
The bespoke rigid inflatable boat (RIB) has a length of 8.5 metres, Furuno navigation electronics, Shoxs suspension seats for the crew, Icom VHF radios, and an Iridium waterproof intercom unit. Two Suzuki outboards will propel the boat to speeds in excess of 40 knots.
The RIB will be operated in the waters off Sumburgh Airport in the Shetland Islands.
South African design firm unveils new range of fast coast guard boats
South Africa-based KND Naval Design has launched a new series of interception and patrol boats for coast guard use.
The vessels will be available in 15-metre, 17-metre, and 21-metre variants. All variants will have self-righting ability and will be capable of speeds of up to 50 knots.
The boats may be operated in coastal and inland waters.
Singapore Civil Defence Force orders fire and rescue vessels
The Singapore Civil Defence Force (SCDF) has selected UK-based BMT and a Singaporean shipyard to supply a new series of two 38-metre firefighting and rescue boats
Each vessel will feature an extended hull to hold a larger load, including more firefighting equipment and personnel, and an integrated launch and recovery ramp. An extended external firefighting capability will include three monitors and three pumps interconnected with a total discharge flow rate of 3,600 cubic metres per hour with 12,000 litres of foam capacity and a self-protection water curtain.
A large aluminium superstructure will allows for facilities such as a firefighting equipment stores area, a decontamination room with chemical, biological and radiological (CBR) protection, a first aid room, and a rescue lounge for housing 30 survivors and eight firefighters.
Deliveries to the SCDF are scheduled for the summer of 2025.
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