VESSEL REVIEW | New series of 12m RIBs for Norwegian Police

Swedish builder Marell Boats has delivered two new rigid inflatable boats (RIB) to the Norwegian Police Service (Politiet).

The RIBs are the first two units in a new series of five multi-purpose craft that will operate along the Norwegian coastline. Missions will include patrols, interceptions, surveillance, boarding, crew training, and search and rescue.

The boats each feature an aluminium hull, a length of 12 metres, and capacity for 10 people including two crewmembers. Two Mercury V12 447kW outboard engines will propel each boat to speeds in excess of 55 knots while the hull design significantly reduces planing to help maintain a level attitude, hence improving crew visibility from the helm station. A Zipwake dynamic trim control system is also fitted.

Strong webs and longitudinal framing ensure extremely high hull performance at high speeds in rough weather conditions. The 21-degree deadrise at stern, a well-shaped and fine-tuned fore body, and longitudinal strakes ensure that rides in high waves are comfortable and high-speed turns are executed more safely. Also, the boats run dry at all times, with all sea spray directed to the side to keep the windscreen and deck clean from water.

The boats each have navigation equipment and a central ergonomic helm station together with a starboard navigation station. The fully integrated control and navigation system can be configured for different needs with all alarms and engine information up front on all connected screens to the system. In front of the navigator, one or two displays are situated, one for radar and one for charts or combined. The coxswain has a larger display in a low front position, giving clear direct boat information without interfering with forward vision.

A key safety feature is that the navigator can mirror the navigation information from the starboard-side screen to the centre screen, providing real-time information at all times. The coxswain can then focus on high-speed manoeuvring in all weather conditions.

The crew spaces include a seating area with a toilet and a small pantry. A low aft deck can meanwhile be used to accommodate divers, drones, liferafts, and injured survivors.

The wheelhouse on each boat has electronics including a Raymarine radar, two Ullman Dynamics shock-mitigating seats for the crew, and eight jockey seats for additional personnel. All windows are tempered, laminated, and tinted to reduce sun glare. The dashboard is covered with black mats to further reduce glare.

As with all boats in the series, the newbuilds are each equipped with a fire extinguisher, a rescue ladder, and emergency kits. All decks are self-bailing and equipped with anti-skid and robust railings. The boats also come with complete sets of mooring lines, anchors, fenders, and VHF systems. On deck, a special track system is mounted for the securing of loads.

Once all five new Politiet boats are in service, they will be deployed at five different locations in southern Norway.

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