Small maybe, eminently capable absolutely; the vessel is air-liftable, truckable, can carry up to 20 personnel with associated equipment or transport a small vehicle. Compact in size and shape when deflated, the RIB weighs a mere 275kg including the compressed air inflating equipment. Two hulls, catamaran-style, are propelled using a single transom-mounted outboard.

“These craft are special,” MST explained, “for they bring logistically difficult rescue tasks like large animal rescue and livestock evacuation within the budgetary and vehicle or trailer space constraints of far more fire and rescue services than before. This will revolutionise global urban flood rescue efforts thanks to a combination of shallow draught, payload capacity and transportability.”

“The global climatic changes that the world is experiencing are in no doubt anymore and one of the many consequences is more unpredictable and extreme weather events. This craft is specifically aimed at dealing with the aftermath of those. There is also a clear demand for greater innovation for such emergency rescue and disaster relief and for new solutions that are created by thinking outside the box.”

“We see trends towards more capable and quicker craft but also craft with greater flexibility for the users in the face of more unpredictable and diverse threats,” said MST. “This is most prevalent for our blue light services dealing with extreme weather events and why the 6.7-metre inflatable landing craft has been a literal lifesaver for many emergency frontline operators dealing with the challenging environments of urban flood rescue.”

Exhibitor: Baird Maritime