Rotary Club of
Hout Bay

 

 

Rescue 8 alpha

The current vessel on the base using the call-sign "rescue 8a" is the "Albie Matthews". She is a 7.3m Rigid inflatable boat (RIB) and is a specialised fast response inshore vessel which has been standardized within the NSRI fleet. R8a was officially launched on Saturday 29th November 2008. She currently displays the most advance layout of the NSRI RIB's. This consists of a semi enclosed cockpit which can house the Coxswain and Navigator as well as two crew comfortably.

Hout Bay station has had three 5.5m RIB's in its history. These were "Queenie Payne" (1990 - 2008 currently serving in Witsands) "Gemini Rescuer" (1990 - 1990) | "Big Foot" (1996 - 2003) and the current 7.3m RIB "Albie Matthews" (November 2008 - present)

R8a exercising off Chapmans Peak, Hout Bay during sea trials

Albie Matthews
Vessel Class Class 3 7.3m Rigid Inflatable Boat
Dimensions 7.3m x 2.0m
Displacement 3.5 tonnes
Power Plants 2 x 115 hp Evinrude 2 stroke low emission outboard motors
Top Speed +40 knots
Range 100 nm
Crew 4+
Equipment Medical equipment. light towing harnesses. Night Vision Equipment, Inshore swimmers rescue equipment. Beaching capability if required. 2 spotlights, radar reflector.
Launch method trailer launched. Can be mobilised and used with R8 mobile for beach launching and recovery
Navigation & Comms Garmin GPS. VHF Radio (two). Cellular telecoms.
   


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Last modified: 11-Mar-2010