New inflatables for fire and rescue

At 4.7 metres long and equipped with 40 hp Mariner outboard engines, the new Zodiac Milpro boats are more stable and provide more power and deck space than their predecessors. For the people of Buckinghamshire and Milton Keynes this means that the water rescue teams are better equipped for operating in fast-flowing waters and can carry more people to safety whenever the need arises.

The new boats use the unique new Zodiac Futura hull design that features two removable inflatable tubes fixed to the hull below the water line. These make it more stable in fast turns and increase its payload by enhancing its buoyancy. They also enable the boat to plane more quickly which adds to its overall speed and economy.

The new boats have been welcomed by Paul Harrison, the lead officer for water rescue, who is very experienced with the demands that can be placed upon fire service boat crews. “When you are operating in a major flood you have to consider the potential hazards created by obstacles that are hidden in the water below you,” he said. “Submerged cars are common but on one occasion we found ourselves passing-over a submerged tractor. In this environment, you need to be confident about the strength and durability of the boats you are operating. I believe that with our new Zodiac Milpro boats and their Mercedes support vehicles, the people of Buckinghamshire and Milton Keynes can be assured that we now have the best possible water rescue equipment available for the risks we currently face.”

Buckinghamshire and Milton Keynes Fire and Rescue Service selected its new boats from a range of over sixty models available from Zodiac Milpro. The company claims to be the world’s most famous name in inflatable boats and is headquartered in Paris and supplies its UK customers through Zodiac Milpro UK Ltd which is based in South Wales.

By Jake Frith