The JetRIB can face the most challenging surf conditions with ease, speeding up our response time considerably. Every second is critical when a person is in trouble in the water.
Each JetRIB costs R480 000, fully kitted for rescue.
The JetRIB allows for a helmsman and two extra crew members who can be dropped off to attend to the casualty in the water. With the vessel's impressive stability and padded seating navigating through even the most challenging surf conditions has become a lot less impactful and stressful than with our present craft.
"I think it will revolutionise surf rescue. The ride was comfortable and the craft is agile, responsive and easy to manoeuvre in tricky situations. Having additional crew on the craft did not hinder its performance in the surf. It is easy to use, with simple but effective controls." Geoff Stephens (Station Commmander - Station 8 Hout Bay.)
The water-jet propulsion is more eco-friendly than the traditional outboard petrol engine and, by removing propellers from the water, we have eliminated the real danger of a propeller strike to patients and rescue swimmers.
