SAR EXERCISE NORTH OF TERSCHELLING
Last Wednesday evening at the Dutch Island of Terschelling both KNRM lifeboats , the FRANS HOGEWIND based KNRM station Paal 8 and the ARIE VISSER of station West Terschelling where mobilized for an exercise North of the island of Terschelling, the FRANS HOGEWIND is a beach launched lifeboat of the VALENTIJN 2000 type this type of lifeboats are stored in a boathouse close to the beach along the North Sea, Wadden Sea and the Ijsselmeer
The Valentine class is a lifeboat from The Royal Dutch Rescue Society (KNRM), based on the RIB technology. The boats are used as (beach) lifeboat along the North Sea, Wadden Sea and the IJsselmeer.
Photo top : Wibbo ©
The first Valentijn was built in 1990 and based in Noordwijk aan Zee. The Valentijn class is launched by a special boat vehicle from the beach. Since the KNRM was satisfied with this type of ship, another 8 of these boats were built in the next eighth years, with slight improvements from the experience with the existing boats . Moreover, not only beach lifeboats, the Valentijn also proved great boats for the IJsselmeer and the Wadden Sea.
The boats of the original Valentijn type feature 2 x 430 Hp Volvo Penta engines. These engines, in combination with water-jet propulsion, give the boat a speed of 34 knots. The Valentijns are semi-self-righting, which means that the crew must activate an air pocket to right the boat again after capsizing.
After several years of experience there made an improved design under the name Valentijn 2000. the boats have become 0.4 meters longer, the boats have been electronically controlled engines 2 x 450 HP and another larger type waterjet and gearbox making the return and acceleration. Valentine class is continually subject
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to renewal and development. During every large annual servicing the engineering and electronics on board evaluated and adjusted if appropriate to the current state of the art so that crew can function to the limit during operations. In total at present are 16 Valentijn class boats active along the Dutch coast and the 1990 built class leader VALENTIJN is at present in reserve
after the launch from the beach the FRANS HOGEWIND proceeded to the exercise area with a speed of 30 knots in the meantime contact was made with the BRISTOW SAR Sikorsky S-61N SEA KING helicopter G-BPWB which was enroute from Den Helder to the exercise location and arrived a few minutes later above the lifeboats for several hoisting exercises using crew members of both lifeboats
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Left seen one of the pilots of the G-BPWB concentrated during the hoisting exercise over the ARIE VISSER Upon completion of the exercise the helicopter headed back to Den Helder and both lifeboats returned to their bases at the island of Terschelling where the FRANS HOGEWIND was sailed onto the beach for further transportation to the boat house where by the special boat transporation vehicle and Caterpillar special tractor
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De KNRM is een zelfstandig opererende, ongesubsidieerde, organisatie die kosteloos mensen red op zee en open water. De professionele vrijwilligers kunnen hun werk niet doen zonder uw steun. Er is voor iedereen een passende manier om te helpen. De belangrijkste mensen zijn, naast onze 1.300 vrijwilligers, onze donateurs, de zogenaamde Redders aan de Wal. Ook giften helpen onze redders het, zo belangrijke werk, te doen. Notariële schenkingen zijn aftrekbaar van het belastbaar inkomen, vanwege de ANBI-status van de Redding Maatschappij. Zelfs de aanschaf van de KNRM Jaarwimpel helpt
Click here for more information about the KNRM (in English language) The next generation KNRM lifeboat NH 1816 Upon returning at the boat house the FRANS HOGEWIND was cleaned by the crew, and made ready for a next action. Herewith I would like to thank Coxswain Henk and the Paal 8 Station crew of the FRANS HOGEWIND , Coxswain Herman and crew of the ARIE VISSER for the hospitality whilst onboard their boats and station and the crew of the BRISTOW SAR helicopter G-BPWB for a job well-done !!
Bron :DAILY COLLECTION OF MARITIME PRESS CLIPPINGS 2013 – 159
