Meeting the needs of COASTGUARD
MARK BARRATT-BOYES
Auckland Coastguard was very specific about the length of the boat they required as a fast response vessel from Naiad to complement their two "heavies", the ASB Rescue and the Lion Foundation Rescue.
by Bluewater Boats and launched in November 2010. Her length allows her to work close to shore or on the open sea, making her a very versatile rescue boat. The successful completion of the project was due in no small part to the efforts of two members of Coastguard Auckland's boatbuilding committee, Wayne Chapman and Rhys Sutton. "We looked at a lot of different products," says Wayne,
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"but we liked the Naiad because of her interior design, with space for a full-length bunk and four seats." Rescue Alpha's hull has a progressive deadrise, starting with
a very deep-vee 23 degrees at the transom and a fine entry for'ard. Maximum lift from the pontoons further aft ensures a comfortable ride and the ability to handle any conditions within the Hauraki Gulf. Her pontoons are a constant 550mm to provide maximum
compression and are of a nylon-reinforced polyurethane outer skin. This can be mechanically attached to the hull and is much easier to repair than Hypalon, as any rips or tears can be welded and stitched, rather than glued, said Naiad director John Cowan. A hard PVC rub strip protects the pontoons and means the vessel can go alongside white
74 NZ WORKBOAT REVIEW 2012
hey wanted the load handling and ride of a 9m RHIB and the space of the 10m model, but the larger boat had tight towing restrictions. So Naiad drew up plans for a 9.5m boat, built
The view for'ard. Note the steering wheel position
boats without leaving a mark. The hull is of 5mm aluminium alloy plate throughout
but is very strong, as the frames are only 500mm apart and the longitudinal stringers only 200mm apart for a high strength-to-weight ratio and a refined hull shape. Her 650 litre fuel tank is separate and removable. Two Coastguard crew can operate in the well deck
for'ard to transfer people onto the boat, as well as the standard practice of over the side onto the aft deck. The hatch is big enough so someone on a stretcher can be passed through onto the 2m bunk to starboard in the for'ard cabin or further aft. There is a toilet below the bunk, with a seat to port and customised storage space for the Pelican packs for the wide range of equipment carried on board, including first aid kits and a defibrillator. A step leads up into the deckhouse, which has obviously been carefully designed for maximum efficiency. "We spent a lot of time working with Auckland Coastguard on the ergonomics to minimise crew fatigue," says Cowan. There are four of Naiad's special sit/stand seats for a helmsman and navigator for'ard and two crew aft. The seat backs and bases slide independently so the crew can stand
