Damen and its partners have won the Royal Netherlands Society for Marine Engineering (KNVTS) ‘Ship of the Year Award’ for Nh1816, the first of a series of the SAR 1906, a revolutionary new Search & Rescue boat, at the Maritime Awards Gala 2014 held in Rotterdam.
Jaap Gelling, Director High Speed Craft of Damen, said:
We are absolutely delighted that this very special vessel has received this accolade. The SAR 1906 is sailing proof that investment in R&D and innovation works!
Developed in close collaboration with the Royal Netherlands Sea Rescue Institution (KNRM), Delft University of Technology and De Vries Lentsch Naval Architects, the new type is the future ‘big boat’ of KNRM, the so-called ‘Nh1816 Class’ (named after its sponsor, insurance company ‘De Noordhollandsche van 1816’).
The SAR 1906 is a 35-knots self-righting vessel, with an aluminium hull and a composite wheelhouse. The hull design is based on the Axe Bow technology, adapted for the specific operations of lifeboats.
Damen delivered the first vessel to KNRM in the beginning of 2014.
Press release, Image: DAMEN