A new generation of rescue boats

The Swedish Sea Rescue Society, SSRS, recently revealed their new generation of rescue boats. RISE is a very proud partner and assisted in the technical development.

When the alarm sounds, rescue is on its way within 15 minutes, 24/7. The Swedish Sea Rescue Society (SSRS) participate in over 90 percent of all sea rescues in Sweden. Now a new generation of rescue boats is seeing the light of day.

The new rescue boat measures 12 x 4 meters, weighs 8.5 tons and has a fuel consumption of 3.3 liters of diesel per nautical mile at 34 knots.

“Fuel consumption is reduced by almost 50 percent compared to the previous generation of boats, which have been in service since 1997. This will be a new dimension for our entire operation,” says Lars Samuelsson, who started as a volunteer sea rescuer when he was 15 years old. He is now CEO of SSRS.

Shifting strategy

Ever since it was founded in 1907, SSRS has always designed, developed and built its own boats. During the Estonia ferry disaster, there were no surface units in Sweden, Finland nor Estonia that could reach the scene of the accident in sufficient time. The strategy then shifted to fast, smaller rescue boats.

“We go out when everyone else goes inside,” says Lars Samuelsson. "What we are doing now is a new generation of rescue boats. The innovation team at SSRS works closely with several competent partners. RISE has been an important part of the project planning. Among other things, we have run model trials and tank tests at SSPA Maritime Center. When we carried out the tests in the towing tank, the calculated values of how the hull would behave matched the outcome”.

“Design is extremely important, for us made by Birger Kullmann Design. The boat must be adapted for rescue operations, be able to maintain high speed and have easy-to-understand navigation equipment. Previous boats were much more complicated to understand”.

The first boat in its class

The new 12-meter boat is the first in its class and has been named the Emblad class. The hull is built in composite and is built in three sizes: 9, 12 and 15 meters. Each size has its own class and is named after the first boat in each class. All SSRS' boats are donated by individuals or companies and named after the donor. The new 12-meter boat is named Margareta Emblad in memory of the donor's wife. At present, 14 boats are fully funded by donations. Older boats will be gradually phased out.

Extensive trials will take place throughout 2024, including along the south coast of England. The aim is to cover all Swedish waters, including Lake M?laren, Lake V?nern, ?land and Gotland.

All we know is that we don't know

“We have already sailed 2,000 nautical miles and the boat is still behaving exactly as we want,” says Lars Samuelsson. “The list of remaining points is extremely short, which is unusual for the first boat in a series. We knew it would be good but not that it would be this good!”

“The weather is what it is and all we know is that we don't know when the next thing will happen. Even in gale force winds and seven-meter waves, it's important that the boat works with all the electronics, that the gear is fixed, that the hull is properly made and that the drive train is redundant. Each boat has double seawater filters and self-righting stability, which means that if it turns over it will right itself.

Expanding business

The first new 12-meter boat will be stationed in Sk?rhamn on the Swedish west coast in 2025.

“The new generation of boats also gives us the opportunity to expand business, which is needed”, says Lars Samuelsson. “Everyone involved in this project is a link to saving lives”.

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The Swedish Sea Rescue Society (SSRS) is a non-profit organization founded in 1907. There are now 74 rescue stations, 270 rescue units and 2,500 volunteer sea rescuers along our coasts and in our largest lakes.