VESSEL REVIEW | Hunter – New UK-built multi-mission RIB for police and military use

UK-based marine technology company Ultimate Boats has completed construction of the first vessel in a new series of cabin rigid inflatable boats (RIBs) to be marketed to customers in the law enforcement and military sectors.

The high-specification, composite-hulled boat is designed to take on a range of duties including troop transport, insertion and extraction of special operations forces, rapid response, and search and rescue (SAR). A unique hull design developed by naval architect and fast craft specialist John Moxham endows the RIB with exceptional directional stability, making it an ideal platform during interceptions and other missions that call for high operating speeds.

Moxham's patented hull design modifies and then manipulates the waterflow beneath the craft to generate hydraulic lift. It also produces better quality waterflow across the propellers, increasing grip that in turn ensures enhanced manoeuvrability and a tighter turning with minimal loss of speed. Ultimate Boats said the major practical advantage is the helm operator's ability to easily maintain a constant visual on the horizon through the hull's linear transition onto the plane, which is derived by mitigating stern squat and associated bow lift.

In addition, the craft has a substantially lower angle of attack compared to conventional hulls, and its deadrise means that it will slice through rough water without launching and limited slamming. The result is a boat that can operate in rough seas and still provide greater comfort the occupants.

The RIB has an LOA of 11 metres, a beam of 3.1 metres, a draught of 0.6 metres, a displacement of 2.65 tonnes, and shock-mitigating seats for up to 12 people. The deck has a total area of 13 square metres for accommodating up to 2.05 tonnes of assorted cargo. The wrap-around collar is made from puncture-resistant D-type foam.

Power is provided by two Suzuki outboard engines fed by a 1,000-litre tank. The electronics suite meanwhile includes a Raymarine radar and displays and a Teledyne FLIR rotating thermal camera.

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