The Royal Netherlands Sea Rescue Institution (KNRM) has ordered 12 class 50 DuroWipers for the latest four hulls of its newbuild KNRM 18m RIBs.
DuroWipers was recommended to KNRM by the UK’s largest sea rescue institution, the RNLI which has been using the company’s wipers for the last decade on its Shannon class all weather lifeboats.
The Valentijn vessels are purpose-designed and built aluminium-hulled rigid inflatable coastal search and rescue vessels currently in build at the Habbeké Shipyard at Hoorn in The Netherlands.
KNRM undertook a multi-stage testing program and evaluation trials with the DuroWipers following an initial positive experience with DuroWipers on its Nh1816 prototype lifeboat.
Performance and reliability
“As these are cabin RIBs, the performance and reliability of their wiper systems are fundamental to the success of their search and rescue duties,” said Noel Gould, CEO at DuroWipers.
“We’ve been told that aside from major engine or safety equipment issues, the only other thing that would stop these boats putting to sea would be a wiper problem.
“For search and rescue, it really is that critical to be able to see out of the screens at all times and in all weathers.”
The three Class 50 DuroWipers being supplied for each of the KNRM boats will come with DuroWipers’ standard commercial three-year warranty. The RNLI recently signed a nine-year contract to refit its older Severn class vessels with the DuroWipers products.
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