New Rescue Boat???

[aspeck]

My Fire Department is starting to talk about a new rescue boat … I get to help spec it out. Here is what we are starting to look into … I am hopeful! (We need it for shallow river and deep 30 mile long lake)

SR-XD

The River Raptor SR-XD is the ultimate shallow water rescue boat. Provide incident support to places you never thought possible.

riverraptorjetboats.com

 

[Sprig]

For a shallow river it looks good. But for a 30 mile long deep lake maybe not. I assume the 30 mile long deep lake can get rough, large roller waves when windy. Doesn’t appear that would be the boat to handle rough conditions in a large body of water.

 

[FunInDuhSun]

Our FD custom ordered a big aluminum airboat. They’ve had it in service for about a year now. It’s really the only kind of boat that can access the very shallow (and often weedy) Susquehanna Flats here on the upper Chesapeake.
One day I watched them return from a call (my slip is across from the boat ramp). They had a very tough time loading it on the trailer. From my perspective, it seemed to be difficult to handle in close quarters because of the lack of a water rudder. Maybe they should have something retractable.
Fortunately, they also keep a conventional outboard powered fire boat in the marina for calls that don’t require minimal draft.

 

[ezbtr]

My Fire Department is starting to talk about a new rescue boat … I get to help spec it out. Here is what we are starting to look into … I am hopeful! (We need it for shallow river and deep 30 mile long lake)

SR-XD

The River Raptor SR-XD is the ultimate shallow water rescue boat. Provide incident support to places you never thought possible.

riverraptorjetboats.com

a deeper "vee" for rougher waters?

 

[aspeck]

For a shallow river it looks good. But for a 30 mile long deep lake maybe not. I assume the 30 mile long deep lake can get rough, large roller waves when windy. Doesn’t appear that would be the boat to handle rough conditions in a large body of water.

The deep water lake is at most not quite a mile wide at its widest, winding back and forth through the central PA mountains. I have boated on the lake for 50 years (since it was formed) and have never seen a day that was too rough for this boat.

 

[dingbat]

My Fire Department is starting to talk about a new rescue boat … I get to help spec it out. Here is what we are starting to look into … I am hopeful! (We need it for shallow river and deep 30 mile long lake)

SR-XD

The River Raptor SR-XD is the ultimate shallow water rescue boat. Provide incident support to places you never thought possible.

riverraptorjetboats.com

A flooded river valley in the mountains.
Not enough fetch to create large waves.

 

[Scott Danforth]

Are the shallows rocky where you need the jet?

Is there skid plates on the bottom like most shallow water jet boats?

Some tunnel cats will run in 2" of water as well as a fair amount of chop. I remember there is a tunnel cats RIB that runs a jet that was designed for rescue. Can't remember the brand off hand and my non-caffienated goggle-foo is failing me

My buddy worked on the USCG jet RIBs used on the ICW and near-shore, however those are huge. IIRC, 45 ft and twin Detroit Diesel power

Sealegs have the 20' RIBs with the fold down hydraulic wheels that many municipalities use for rescue. They look cool, not sure on practicality. They drive off the trailer, across the beach and launch themselves

 

[FLATHEAD]

Are the shallows rocky where you need the jet?

Is there skid plates on the bottom like most shallow water jet boats?

Some tunnel cats will run in 2" of water as well as a fair amount of chop. I remember there is a tunnel cats RIB that runs a jet that was designed for rescue. Can't remember the brand off hand and my non-caffienated goggle-foo is failing me

My buddy worked on the USCG jet RIBs used on the ICW and near-shore, however those are huge. IIRC, 45 ft and twin Detroit Diesel power

Sealegs have the 20' RIBs with the fold down hydraulic wheels that many municipalities use for rescue. They look cool, not sure on practicality. They drive off the trailer, across the beach and launch themselves

UHMW is one of the listed options. Most of the serious river fisherman here have that on the bottoms. Stuff takes a beating.

 

[aspeck]

Yes, shallows are rocky. Yes, .25" thick reinforced bottom with additional coating is available. Hitting rocks at 40+mph needs a solid bottom. Will be a big help in swift water and flood waters. Lift for lake rescue injuries. Dive platform/ladder for lake water rescue/recovery for dive team ... we are looking for a "best of all worlds for all conditions."