VESSEL REVIEW | SAR 1 – Croatian medevac provider acquires locally-built fast boat

Iskra Shipyard in Croatia recently handed over a new high-speed search and rescue (SAR) and medical evacuation boat to the country's Emergency Maritime Medical Service (EMMS).

The aptly named SAR 1 is the first in a planned series of six vessels ordered by the same operator. The boats were designed with the assistance of Metal Shark Croatia, the local subsidiary of US-based manufacturer Metal Shark Boats. All-weather capability will allow the new boats to ensure SAR coverage even under Sea State six conditions when helicopters and other response assets will have difficulty operating.

The boat has an aluminium hull, an LOA of 15.25 metres, a beam of 4.7 metres, a maximum draught of 1.4 metres, self-righting ability, and two Volvo Penta 662kW engines that deliver a maximum speed of just over 39 knots. Space is available for three crewmembers and 12 passengers while key features include a treatment room and an aft dive/swim platform to help facilitate water rescues.

The boat is fitted with handrails that are positioned along the exterior of the wheelhouse as opposed to the traditional installation on the deck perimeter. This ensures that the crew can walk safely along the outer deck while still providing the boat with greater flexibility during transfers to and from jetties and other vessels.

Tests showed that the boat can also withstand free falling into the water from a height of two metres, validating its durability for instances that require rapid deployment. The hull meanwhile demonstrated adequate impact resistance when the vessel was deliberately manoeuvred bow-first into the shore at a speed of four knots.

A Sole Diesel generator with a rated output of 24.3 kVa at 1,500 rpm supplies electrical power for the onboard systems and navigation electronics, which include a JRC radar and a Volvo Penta dynamic positioning system. The deck equipment meanwhile includes a Maxilift crane and two electric capstans.

SAR 1 will be operated out of the city of Dubrovnik on Croatia's Adriatic coast. Iskra will deliver the remaining five boats in the series to the EMMS before the end of the year.

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