New Rescue Craft for Kristiansand City, Fire Department

Kristiansand Fire Department Took delivery of their new 9.7m Fast Response/Rescue Craft in August 2002 . The craft was built by Innovation AS. The Innovation aluminium hull features three watertight bulkheads, deep V front section and a monohedron V in the aft section, with wider stern section and is designed for manueverability, good sea keeping and a stable work platform. The Kristiansand Fire Department will use the craft for diving and rescue operations, pleasure boat fires, accidents and assistance, fires on the coastline/islands outside Kristiansand where access with fire trucks is impossible, and also as an ambulance as and when required. The craft is fitted with a single Caterpillar engine, driving a single UltraJet 305 waterjet via a ZF Gearbox. Prior to delivery, Jon Boye Anderson, owner of Innovation AS, carried out sea trials in Oslo Harbour with members of the Oslo Harbour, Police, Fire, and Ambulance Authorities being present. A top speed of 36.8 knots at 5.5 tonnes was recorded on the GPS during trials, with an average both ways over a 5km course of 35.5 knots. Top speed in light conditions is just below 40 knots. Excellent sea keeping characteristics were demonstrated with dry decks, good motion responses and tight turning circles during full speed, which were attributable to the UltraJet propulsion system. During tender negotiations noise levels was considered to be a very important factor for the rescue personnel and craft commander. They needed to be able to communicate with the base and each other from the time the alarm goes off until the accident/fire scene is reached. Noise level in the thermally insulated wheelhouse at top speed is around 70 dBa. At the predicted 35 knots operational speed the Fire Department can reach the border of their response area in 10 minutes. Other equipment fitted includes a bow ramp for easy access on shore. Two large doors and a folding platform on the starboard side provide easy recovery of personnel from the sea. With a powerful Zenon searchlight fitted to the roof of the wheelhouse. Innovation has specialised in purpose-designed craft for the commercial and fisheries market in Norway since 1999. The yard is just completing two 9.3m fast planing monohedron boats for the Norwegian Government. One is fitted with a Yanmar 6LY-UTE engine and the other fitted with a Yanmar 6LYA-STE, both with UltraJet 251s.