Our new rescue boat comes home

Chief Bosun John Maxwell collected our new bright orange rescue from Lindon Lewis Marine, Shepperton Marina, near Sunbury on Thames, on a cold and wet day in early December, using the road trailer previously occupied by EAST ASHORE (our keel-less Squib now being used as a children's play-boat in mid Suffolk). The new boat cost £19k, and offers considerable advantages over a RIB; it should have a much longer useful lifespan, is more resistant to damage, has larger internal volume so can carry more people or equipment and, has a drop bow for casualty recovery. Over the winter it will be fitted with fenders, an echo sounder and consul cover but little else needs doing.

The boat is a Whaly 500R manufactured in the Netherlands and used widely by their fire-fighting and rescue services. It is a robust, double-hulled boat manufactured from high-grade, colour-fast Polyethylene – claimed to be almost unsinkable and indestructible. The boat has a 60hp Mercury outboard, giving it the speed and towing power necessary for our keelboat sailing operations.

The winner of our name that boat competition will have the honour of naming her at a ceremony on Thursday 31 March 2022 when she will be officially named and launched. The winner will also receive a £25 cash prize.

To enter just email your suggested name to newsletter@e-a-s-t.org.uk

PS: Names such as Plastic Fantastic and Boaty McBoat Face won’t be accepted.