Diverse Marine Ltd. and Caister Volunteer Lifeboat Service Ltd. are pleased to announce that the two parties have signed a new vessel construction agreement for a first of class 14m Medina Class Lifeboat.
After a competitive international tender process using a design from Walker Marine Design, the construction of the vessel at Cowes on the Isle of Wight 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 the stations current Lifeboat, ‘Bernard Matthews II’ 16 years ago.
The 14m self-righting Lifeboat features an aluminum 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 stbd 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.
Ben Colman, Director of Diverse Marine says “We are delighted and very proud to be awarded the contract for this Lifeboat for such a high profile and respected charitable organization. Our expertise building high quality workboats together with the repair and maintenance of Lifeboats stands us in a good position to deliver this first of class vessel, meeting the specific requirements from the crew of the Caister Lifeboat.
Paul Garrod, Chairman of Caister Volunteer Lifeboat Service says says “This marks the next chapter in the history of Caister Independent Lifeboat. Our current lifeboat has served us well over the last 16 years, and carried out many rescues during her time on service. The new lifeboat will be purpose built for our needs at Caister, and the Directors, Crew and Members and all our volunteers are excited and proud that it will be built in the United Kingdom.”
For further information visit www.diversemarine.co.uk
About Caister Volunteer Lifeboat Service
SAVING LIVES SINCE 1791 Caister Lifeboat is an independent charity and was Britain’s first independent lifeboat service. Its role is, and always has been, to save lives at sea and along the coastline of Norfolk and Suffolk.
The Caister Lifeboat charity is made up of a board of eight trustee directors, an operational crew and a team of volunteers who help run our office function, on-site shop, cafe and museum. None of our team is paid, so every penny of donations can be used to support our lifesaving work.
The volunteers and directors are responsible for the day-to-day and long-term planning of Caister Lifeboat. That means ensuring the boats and equipment is correctly maintained, the crew are trained and that the bills get paid. The board of directors are also responsible for fund raising and income, which ranges from a series of events throughout the year, as well as promoting donations and legacies.
The board of directors meets monthly, with another monthly meeting for our 38 members, which is made up of current and past crew. Through the discussions at these meetings, the charity’s policies, aims and ambitions are set out, as well as decisions on investment in lifesaving equipment, training and fund raising.
The charity has been supported and visited by HRH Duke and Duchess of Cornwall, the Princess Royal and Princess Alexandra. In 2012, the year of the diamond jubilee of HM Queen Elizabeth II, Caister Lifeboat was invited to take part in the Pageant on the Thames, where the charity was presented with the Queen’s Award for Voluntary Service – the equivalent of an MBE.
To find out more about Caister Volunteer Lifeboat Service, please visit:
