Named ’úya (“saltwater” in the Canadian indigenous Haisla language), the 13.4-metre (44-foot) boat will be operated out of Kitimat in British Columbia for deployment on Canada’s West Coast. The vessel was built at Reyse Marine in North Saanich, BC, to a design by ER Yacht Design.
Versatile emergency response platform
Brian Grange, President of Bridgemans, said the new boat has been designed and constructed with innovation, safety and reliability in mind.
For SAR duties, the vessel relies on an open deck, a transom, and side doors that provide ready and safe access to ocean waters for recovery and benches that securely support stretchers and enable medical assistance. Large-capacity monitors are also fitted for firefighting.
’úya is also equipped for responding to oil spills. The boat features a rotating forward looking infrared (FLIR) camera to improve vision at night and through light fog and smoke along with acoustic systems that will support marine monitoring activities. A Garmin radar also assists in navigation, particularly under low-visibility conditions.
It will also serve as a pilot boat and can even perform light towing by pushing or pulling other vessels and helping ships navigate coastal waters. To perform this role, the vessel relies on push knees fitted on the bow.
Capable of fast transits even in rough seas
The aluminium hull is durable enough to withstand the impact of logs and debris and to permit beaching if necessary. The wheelhouse has forward-leaning windscreens to reduce glare from the helm station and upward-facing windows to provide the coxswain with enhanced situational awareness, particularly when manoeuvring alongside larger vessels during pilotage and emergency response operations.
Two engines driving waterjets deliver a top speed of 41.5 knots and a cruising speed range of between 32 and 34 knots depending on sea state.
’úya will be crewed 24/7 by Bridgemans personnel serving 12-hour shifts.