The Prince Rupert Marine Rescue announced that it has managed to raise enough money for a new rescue vessel to replace the aging Rainbow Responder.
Marine Rescue has raised $552,000 to buy a “state-of-the-art” Falkins Class Type II ship which will be coming from Sydney on January 9th.
The new ship is designed to able to sail in 30 feet or higher waves, withstand hurricane-force winds and to sprint across the water at over 40 knots (74 kilometres per hour). The ship is big enough to hold a crew of 12 people and three stretchers for the injured.
Marine Rescue will use the new boat for their operations that range from search and rescue to cleaning up oil slicks. They are part of the Coast Guard Axillary and are staffed entirely by volunteers.