Search and Rescue Boat Passes Rollover Test

MetalCraft Marine Inc. has successfully completed the key rollover test on the first of a series of new severe service search and rescue boats for the Canadian Coast Guard. The 47-ft. Motor Life Boat (MLB) construction program is a joint venture between MetalCraft of Kingston, and MIL Systems of Ottawa. The initial contract is for seven of the $1.8 million vessels. A key feature of the MLB is the fact it's self-righting, meaning it can be rolled over by extreme conditions, and resurface to continue the search and rescue mission. The test was conducted in MetalCraft's basin on Kingston's Inner Harbour. To roll the vessel over, slings from a crane were run under the boat and attached to lifting eyes on the starboard side; when the cable was drawn in, it pulled the starboard side of the boat under water until it was inverted. Once past 180 degrees, the vessel popped back upright in about three seconds. The test demonstrated the main components and systems of the vessel could withstand inversion and fast righting, and also tested the cabin, crew quarters, survivor chamber and engine room were watertight. Delivery of the vessels will commence this fall.