Support / Safety Craft (SSC) & Rescue Boats (restricted to non-tidal / coastal locations) (RBR) are available for industrial, commercial and leisure duties. Specialist craft available for ‘blue-light’ call-out assistance.

Two-man teams include Coxswain and Able Bowman. A three-man team would include the former plus either an additional DEFRA Module 3 (Concept of Flood Operations guidelines) Rescue swimmer or medical first responder with full pre-hospital care kit including automatic external defibrillator and oxygen.

A ‘Utility / Service Craft (USC) operated by a single coxswain are also available for crew transfers and general ‘run-about’ duties.

Utility / Service and Support / Safety Craft / Rescue Boat Services (Restricted)

Vessels available

  • x3 Rigid Raider Mk1 Beach Assault Craft – 5 metres
  • Zodiac Mil-Pro ‘Grand Raid’ Inflatable – 5 metres
  • Bombard C3 Commando Inflatable – 3.8 metres
  • Northcraft heavy-duty Rigid Inflatable – 5 metres
  • Zodiac Tender Inflatable – 2.8 metres
  • Jeanneau 360 Newmatic Rigiflex 3.6 metres
  • Aluminium heavy-duty work boat 4 metres
x3 Rigid Raider Mk1 Beach Assault Craft – 5 metres
Zodiac Mil-Pro ‘Grand Raid’ Inflatable – 5 metres
Bombard C3 Commando Inflatable – 3.8 metres
Northcraft heavy-duty Rigid Inflatable – 5 metres
Zodiac Tender Inflatable – 2.8 metres
Jeanneau 360 Newmatic Rigiflex 3.6 metres
Aluminium heavy-duty work boat 4 metres

Utility / Service Craft. (USC)

Description

These vessels are not contracted to undertake a lifesaving role due to their basic level of equipment aboard, the lower level of required qualifications to crew the vessel and the main factor that these craft are operated by a sole crewmember, the Coxswain.

They are ideal however for crew transfers, surveys, gaining access, events, security, and a range of other roles.  All the BMM craft can undertake this role with the choice of vessel being dependent upon the role it is intended to provide.

Crew qualification USC
  • RYA Inland Waterways Helmsman
  • RYA Powerboat Level 2
  • DEFRA Module 1
  • RYA First Aid at Work.
Availability restrictions
  • This craft can only be deployed if the contractors / client’s Team(s) have received DEFRA Module 1) training and alternative rescue plan in place.

Support / Safety craft (SSC)

Description

As with the USC above, any of the vessels could be used in the Support / Safety Craft role. This is the type of operation best suited to canal-based commercial operations as it allows a certain amount of flexibility within its role and, unlike a ‘Rescue Boat’ that must sit on station and not be used for any other purpose, the SSC set-up can be used for USC roles as well as providing medical support, search, rescue, and recovery roles.

Like a ‘Rescue Boat’ since there is a ‘safety’ role, there is a two-man crew which enables the vessel to be held in position whilst the crew deal with other matters.

The crew qualifications are higher:

Crew qualification SSC
  • RYA Inland Waterways Helmsman
  • RYA Powerboat Level 2
  • DEFRA Module 1 (Annex ‘H’)
  • RYA First Aid at Work – Crew and IPOS / FPOS / FREC 3 Medical First Responder qualification – Coxswain
Equipment carried

(changes as the element of ‘Rescue’ cover increases).

  • Man-Over-Board (MOB) recovery equipment
  • Spinal Board
  • Medical Kit (Category ‘C’ Medical Stores and crew mini kit)
  • Defibrillator
  • Survival Bag
  • Immersion Suit
  • Torch / Scene Lighting
  • VHF Radio.
Availability restrictions

This craft can only be deployed if the contractors / client’s Team(s) have received DEFRA Module 1) training and have shore-based rescue equipment and procedures in place. The SSC can assist / lead a rescue and is able to recover a casualty to the pre-arranged RV to hand over the Emergency Medical Services. (EMS).

Rescue Boat (Restricted) RBR

Non-tidal / coastal safety / rescue boat

Deployable to non-tidal, non-coastal locations. Crew attired in full Aquatic PPE to Mod 3) specification.

A ‘Rescue Boat’ is a dedicated vessel and crew with a higher level of training and equipment both aboard and in the support vehicle. A two-man crew of Coxswain and Able-Bowman are qualified as below: A ‘dedicated’ safety / rescue Craft that cannot be utilised in any other role. Generally this type of operation is undertaken by the Zodiac Grand Raid or the Bombard C3 Commando.

Crew qualification RBR
  • DEFRA Module 2) Water Rescue First Responder / 3) Technician
  • RYA Inland Waterways Helmsman
  • RYA Powerboat Level 2
  • IPOS / FPOS / FREC 3 Medical First Responder qualification
Equipment carried (changes as the element of ‘Rescue’ cover increases).
  • Man-Over-Board (MOB) recovery equipment
  • Spinal Board
  • Medical Kit (Category ‘C’ Medical Stores and crew mini kit)
  • Defibrillator
  • Survival Bag
  • Immersion Suit
  • Torch / Scene Lighting
  • VHF Radio
  • Full Medical Bag including medical oxygen.

Advice from the MCA was that vessels on Category ‘A’, ‘B’ and non-linked bodies of water are not required to be MCA Coded.

Availability restrictions

This craft can only be deployed if the contractors / client’s Team(s) have received DEFRA Module 1) training and have shore-based rescue equipment and procedures in place. The RBR on site to deliver a rescue service and can recover a casualty to the pre-arranged RV to hand over the Emergency Medical Services. (EMS).