Diverse Marine have signed a new vessel construction agreement for a first of class 14m ‘Medina Class’ lifeboat for a UK volunteer lifeboat service.
After a competitive international tender process using a design from Walker Marine Design, the construction of the vessel (for Caister Volunteer Lifeboat Service) at Cowes on the Isle of Wight, UK completes the evolutionary process that saw the original Medina Class Lifeboat built very close to the current build location over 35 years ago - before the design was adopted by the Dutch who built Caister’s current Lifeboat, Bernard Matthews II 17 years ago.
The 14m self-righting Lifeboat features an aluminium hull, deck and coach roof together with a resiliently mounted GRP wheelhouse to reduce noise and vibration for the crew. The fully air-conditioned wheelhouse layout has been designed for up to six crew, all with designated AllSalt Maritime SHOXS 2000 seats. Configuration is for a central helm station forward, nav station aft to starboard and an additional dedicated space for stretcher and casualties.
Twin Scania DI13-077M main propulsion engines drive twin Hamilton HJ364 water jet units for speeds in excess of 35 knots. Twin helm stations will feature Hamilton Jet’s AVX control system and Jet-Anchor functionality for station keeping. A comprehensive navigation and communications suite will be supplied by Boat Electrics and Electronics Ltd.
The vessel has commenced build and will be delivered in 2022.