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RIB Technology Makes Stronger, Faster Boats The business of building better Rigid Inflatable Boats (RIBs) is a serious one, which utilizes and combines some of the world's most advanced materials tech- nologies. Comptetion in the market is stiff, as manufacturer claims and counter claims would indicate. The RIBs of today are finding them- selves used for a much wider spectrum of duty than perhaps just five or 10 years ago, due in large to advances in design, performance and load carrying capabili- ties. Manufacturers have invested many hours and dollars to ensure that today's RIBs are constructed of increasingly better, stronger materials that enable them to dutifully perform the rigorous duty that owners demand. A perfect example of how the use of RIBs has spread is seen in the U.S. Navy's procurment of the boats for use in mine sweeping operations. The USN has developed a method that involves a Sokorski helicopter towing a catamaran sea skid equipped to detect and detonate mines. Each helicopter and sled unit is accompanied by a pair diesel-powered RIB. The RIBs tow the sled when disen- gaged by the helicopter and act as gen- eral support vessels. The 24-ft. (7.3 m) RIBs had been powered with 165 hp diesels powering Duo-prop outdrives. The new vessels are propelled by Cum- mins Engines powering Konrad drives. AB Inflatables is a good example of how the RIB market has expanded, as it has recently sold vessels capable of mil- itary duty and for service far offshore. The company offers a wide range of products — six product lines in all — encompassing both rigid-hull (RIB) and foldable inflatables. The RIB lines include the lightweight Ventus models, luxurious Nautilus tenders, sporty Oceanus runabouts, versatile Navigo tenders and tough, aluminum-hulled Lammina boats. A recent boat built for Sea Tow craft is a modified Oceanus 7.40VST RIB inflatable. This 24-ft. quick-response boat now cruises the Ft. Lauderdale-area waterways seven days a week for 16 hours a day, towing stranded craft ranging from dinghies to 100-ft. yachts. It also performs rescues up to 35 miles off shore. To help the boat in these tough situations, a powerful, 200-hp outboard was installed on the transom. AB Inflatables altered the 7.40VST's standard 79-gallon fuel tank to take 105 gallons, allowing the boat to make longer trips more quickly and eas- ily. AB also installed an enlarged light arch that supports halogen floodlights, emergency flashing lights and radio antennas. August, 2001 The boat that AB developed for the Venezuelan army was also a modified 7.40VST. To meet the army's needs, AB designed and built a boat that includes three gun turrets and is suitable for transporting armed soldiers quickly and safely along rivers and coastlines to pro- tect their territory against drug traffick- ing and other offenses. AB will be introducing a 28-ft. Oceanus 8.50VST shortly. Another manufacturer, albeit a rela- tively new one, which has made its mark by offering advanced technological solutions is Dominator. Dominator offers hulls in aluminum — or for those requiring no radar signature — hulls in carbon fiber. Dominator is working with aleading U.S. armorer to create fast, vir- tually unsinkable RIBs. Dominator's concept is a 20-ft. hull, a 25-ft. hull, and a 36-ft. hull as standards. Dominator will also build per a client's specific request, as long as it passes the compa- ny's marine architect's review. Domina- tor RIBs are engineered to provide rides that are dry, and not only easily handled in very rough water, but a ride which is very easily at high speeds in that same rough water. Going Hollywood "Production companies can deploy us NCHORS ANCHOR LARGEST INVENTORY OF NEW & USED IN THE U.S.A. X MARINE CHAINS FAX: 713/644-1185 WATTS: 800/233-8014 PHONE: 713/644-1183 P.O. BOX 58645 HOUSTON, TX 77258 ALL TYPE ANCHORS & CHAIN ABS, LLOYDS GRADE 2, 3, K-4 CHAIN & FITTINGS sales @ anchormarinehouston.com www.anchormarinehouston.com Circle 205 on Reader Service Card www.maritimereporterinfo.com OPTIMUM USE OF POWER • i LE MAG®-PRE MET® XL Electronic Engine Indicator - MIP Calculator for Diesel Engines / • iSo c Gas Engines * C|- Steam Engines /.foff,a Compressor Engines / saten- This is al] you really need for reliable I 0>,ltltyi and accurate engine analysis. L Se>,Wm Mount the PREMET® on the cylinder cock and store the pressure readings. Read it on the digital display, on the PC screen, or print it on the PREMET® KR printer. PREMET® delivers you complete data to 1 optimize your engine's performance. / . r. 90°1 ce«-T 9 °*ta Safe«ite « a,s« so^.. sai sales Please, contact us for your local Lehmann & Michels GmbH & Co. KG m distributor: Marlowring 4 Lemag, Inc. 22525 Hamburg / Germany PMB 182 • 250 "H" Street • Blaine, WA 98230-4033 Tel: +49 40 850 00 61 • Fax: +49 40 851 1888 TIMUM USE F ENE GY Tel: 604 980 1281 • Fax: 604 980 1341 email: lemag@lemag.de email: lemaginc@home.com www.lemag.de Circle 256 on Reader Service Card www.maritimereporterinfo.com www.maritimereporterinfo.com 49
