KNYSNA NEWS - The first of the National Sea Rescue Institute's new fleet of offshore rescue craft, stopped briefly in the Knysna lagoon recently en route to it's new home in Durban.
The new 14m state-of-the-art rescue boat Alick Renie (Rescue 5) was constructed in France alongside the second vessel, the Donna Nicholas (Rescue 10), which will be based in Simons Town once completed.
Rescue 5 rendezvoused offshore with a rescue craft from Knysna NSRI Station 12 and then entered the Knysna Heads under the guidance of Graeme Harding, a long-time Knysna resident and past local NSRI station commander.
After a brief stop for a breakfast sandwich and an opportunity for our local NSRI volunteers to view the vessel, she continued on her way to Port Elizabeth where the crew spent the night before continuing to her new home in Durban.
These new hi-tech rescue craft, which were designed by naval architects Pantocarene and manufactured by Bernard Shipyard in France, are powered by diesel engines and fitted with the latest in electronics technology.
Rescue 5 is the first new vessel in the fleet that will replace the NSRI's aging 10m and 12m rescue vessels stationed around the coast.
Although the first vessel was constructed in France, the next suix rescue craft will be built in Cape Town by Two Oceans Marine, thus supporting the South African boat-building industry, creating jobs and further developing skills of local workers, particularly in the composite boat building industry.
Rescue 5 entered the Knysna Heads under the guidance of Graeme Harding.
Rescue 5 rendezvoused offshore with a rescue craft from Knysna NSRI Station 12.
Rescue 5 is on her way to her new home in Durban.
Rescue 5 coming into the Knysna Heads.
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