Finnish builder delivers Austria’s largest lifeboat

The Austrian Water Rescue Federation (Osterreichische Wasserrettung; OWR) recently took delivery of a new lifeboat from Kewatec Aluboat of Finland.

Kewatec said the 14- by 4.3-metre vessel, which has been named V9, is Austria’s largest lifeboat and is to be used primarily in the country’s lakes and rivers.

The boat is equipped with an underwater sonar, a gyrostabilised infrared camera, and medical treatment facilities. Two Volvo Penta diesel engines propel the craft to a maximum speed of around 36 knots.

V9 will be stationed in the harbour of Bregenz by Lake Constance. It will be operated by the OWR’s branch in Vorarlberg in western Austria.