MRI Boats

MRI Operates three Self Righting SAR Lifeboats:

MRI 24 (reserve SAR Lifeboat) , MRI 28 and MRI 42. The MRI 42 is mostly utilised for rescues away from the rock foot. The MRI 28 is specifically designed for inshore rescues.

Team work, safety and efficiency is the key to success in SAR Operations, and can only be achieved by an experienced and well trained team using fit for purpose equipment. Funding of the SAR Lifeboats resources costs in the region of £50,000 per annum.

History of MRI 24:

The '24' was originally built in 1978 as part of the joint research programme between Offshore Maritime Section (Robert Gordon's Institute of Technology) and Ship Marine Technology Requirements Board (Department of Trade and Industry). It has a cold moulded 3 skin laminate wooden hull which allowed for the trials undertaken and ease of modification from this prototype. The MRI 24 was completely rebuilt as new in 2002. MRI 24 can operate to a service speed of 30 knots whilst at normal displacement in Douglas Sea State 2. Two fuel tanks carry sufficient fuel to give the craft an endurance of 180 nautical miles or 6 hours duration at the service speed of 30 knots. Crew: Survivor accommodation, 2 stretcher cases plus 6 other persons. In an emergency, the craft can support 4 crew plus 12 other persons. Navigational aids include a VHF, Radar, GPS plotter. 2nd generation night vision available. A full range of emergency medical aid equipment is carried onboard and crewmembers are suitably qualified in the provision of Advanced Medical Aid.

Draft operational 1.33 m

Fuel capacity 1000 litres

Engines2 Caterpillar 475 hp coupled to Hamilton water jets

History of MRI 42

The '42' was originally built as one of the RNLI Medina project boats in1984 as a trial craft.

MRI rediscovered her in 2000, lying in Liverpool and bought her. She was totally stripped,

lengthened and rebuilt by Amble Boatyard to modern requirements and specification and

re launched in October 2001. Mr David Stogdon MBE was the boat designer in its orriginal form,

he performed the naming ceremony on behalf of MRI on 31st October 2001.

Speed

MRI 42 can operate up to a service speed of 24 knots

whilst at normal displacement in Douglas Sea State 3.

Endurance

Fuel carried is sufficient to give an endurance of approximately 150 nautical miles

or 6 hours duration at the service speed of 25 knots.

Crew

For SAR operations, the usual crew compliment will be 5.

Survivor accommodation

2 stretcher cases plus 12 other persons. In an emergency,

the craft can support 4 crew plus 32 other persons.

Navigational aids

VHF, VHF DSc, GPS, Radar & integrated chartplotter, FM USB communications.

Emergency medical aid equipment

A full range of emergency medical aid equipment is carried onboard

and crewmembers are suitably qualified in the provision of first aid.

Other emergency equipment

A portable de-watering or fire pump.

History 28

Please click on an image to enlarge it.

The '28' was built by MRI from a specialist Avon 8.5 hull form in 2003. She was put on station in January 2004. MRI 28 can operate to a service speed of 30 knots whilst at normal displacement in Douglas Sea State 2. Fuel tanks carry sufficient fuel to give the craft an endurance of 180 nautical miles or 6 hours duration at the service speed of 30 knots Crew: 5 persons, Survivor accommodation 2 stretcher cases plus 6 other persons. In an emergency, the craft can support 4 crew plus 12 other persons.

Navigational aids include a VHF, Radar, GPS plotter. 2nd generation night vision available. A full range of emergency medical aid equipment is carried onboard and crew members are suitably qualified in the provision of Advanced Medical Aid.