VESSEL REVIEW | Finnish Lifeboat Institution takes delivery of locally-built rescue craft

Finnish aluminium boat builder Kewatec Aluboat has delivered two new rescue boats in a series to the Finnish Lifeboat Institution’s stations in Kuopio and Inkoo in the country’s eastern and southern regions, respectively.

Each vessel has a length of 10.1 metres, a beam of 3.2 metres, a displacement of 6.2 tonnes, and space for six passengers and two crewmembers. Two Mercury 223kW outboard engines fed by a 500-litre tank propel each boat to a maximum speed of over 40 knots.

The outboards are fixed on a transom bracket to enable the incorporation of large swimming platforms on either side. The attached swim ladder doubles as a diving ladder and is suitable for use by personnel even while wearing diving fins.

There is ample space on either side of the main cabin, access to which is through two sliding doors. Kewatec said that, due to the large windows and the hatches fitted in the ceiling, the atmosphere in the cabin is airy and spacious.

There are also two independent high-quality Grammer crew seats that can be adjusted. In the back of the cabin is a sofa for three people.

The forward deck features a fully waterproof hatch that leads to additional storage spaces. Handrails are placed all over the deck both outside and inside the wheelhouse. The aft deck is equipped with a towing hook and reel as well as a belowdeck storage area.

The vessels also have limited firefighting and first aid capability while emergency pumping equipment enables the crews to assist distressed vessels that are in danger of sinking. Each boat also has a hydraulically opening bow ramp for loading and unloading during beach landings and patient recovery in areas lacking in jetty infrastructure.