VESSEL REVIEW | Klaar Kimming – German all-weather rescue boat with remote navigation capability

The electronics suite meanwhile features a Raymarine package that includes a radar, chartplotters, a sidescan sonar, AIS, GPS, VHF radios, and CCTV cameras. A thermal imaging camera can be fitted in the future to enhance the boat’s ability to operate safely under low-light conditions.

“The other communications equipment was owner-supplied, and these include certain Tetra radios and handheld devices specially developed for the DLRG.”, said Straakenbroek.

The new DLRG boat can also be operated remotely with the aid of a Hamilton AVX portable control interface connected via nine-metre (30-foot) cable, allowing the vessel to be manoeuvred from a position other than the main helm station if needed. This will also enable the boat to be positioned accordingly to support SAR operations under harsh conditions.

“We made an additional stand for the remote control unit on the wheelhouse roof so that it can serve as a secondary steering position,” Straakenbroek told Baird Maritime. “The Hamilton unit automatically keeps the boat in position. In this way the crew can focus on rescue activities instead of operating the boat.”