On Tuesday, July 2, 2024, the Royal Dutch Sea Rescue Institution (KNRM) signed a contract with Stormer Marine, the renowned shipyard and builder of aluminium workboats, for the construction of 11 Rigid Inflatable Boats (RIBs) of the new Chaterina D-class. This contract represents a significant investment of 2.7 million euros, funded by legacies and contributions from KNRM donors.
The new Chaterina D-class RIBs will replace the long-serving Atlantic 75 class boats, currently in use at lifeboat stations around the IJsselmeer, Markermeer, North Sea, Grevelingen, and the Wadden area. The transition to the new class will ensure that KNRM’s fleet remains at the cutting edge of maritime rescue technology and capability.
The design of the Chaterina D class was developed in close cooperation with the KNRM. The experiences of the current crews of the Atlantic 75 class played an important role in this. This process resulted in a first prototype: the “Chaterina D”, which was subjected to extensive sea trials. Based on these sea trials, several optimisations will be implemented in the design in consultation with Stormer Marine, both for the current Chaterina D and for the 11 successor boats of the class. The lifeboat can accommodate three crew members and twelve rescued persons. Two Yamaha 115 HP 4-stroke engines give the lifeboat a speed of at least 32 knots.
The name of this new class of 7.5 meter RIBs is – according to tradition – determined by the donors of the first boat of this class. Stormer will deliver an average of two boats per year in the coming years. Preparations for the construction of the first two boats, after the “Chaterina D”, have started and these boats are expected to be delivered in January and February 2025.
“ We are proud that the KNRM has entrusted Stormer with the construction of the 11 follow-on boats of the Chaterina D class and we will do everything we can to make it a success together with all those involved at the KNRM ,” said Richard Gramser, one of the founders and commercial director of Stormer Marine.
“ We are very pleased that with the signing of this contract for the construction of the next 11 RIBs of the Chaterina D class, an intensive design process has been concluded and that in the coming years the RIBs of the Atlantic 75 class can be replaced by these new ‘state-of-the-art‘ Chaterina D RIBs ”, says Jacob Tas, director of KNRM.
 signed a contract with Stormer Marine, for 11 RIBs of the new Chaterina D-class){kind=link}