“In connection with the King’s 50th anniversary on the throne, he donated a large sum to the Swedish Sea Rescue Society, which will enable the construction of a brand new rescue boat.
News item from The Swedish Sea Rescue Society Published12 Sep 2024
Over the weekend, The King visited the shipyard where the boat is being built to see the process and drawings of the boat’s design.
King Carl XVI Gustaf has shown his support for Swedish sea rescue through a generous donation that will enable the construction of a brand new rescue boat and thus a new class of boat. This initiative is part of the King’s long-standing commitment to the Swedish Sea Rescue Society and to promoting safety at sea.
Over the weekend, The King visited the shipyard where the boat is being developed. Together with representatives from the Swedish Sea Rescue Society, The King was shown the process and drawings of the boat’s design.
Brand new 15 meter rescue boat
The new class of boat is specially designed to meet today’s requirements for maritime safety and effective rescue services. With improved technology and higher performance, the new boat will be able to operate in tougher conditions, further strengthening the capabilities of the Sea Rescue Society.
The rescue boat has good working areas with a separate command post, a floating wheelhouse for the best working environment and a large aft deck with space for a Rescuerunner. In addition, the boat is prepared for hybrid operation allowing for silent searches and to operate the boat with one diesel engine and two waterjets to reduce emissions when maneuvering and towing.
An illustration of the 15-meter lifeboat donated by the King.
Valuable donation for maritime safety
The new class of boat represents a significant development in Swedish maritime rescue, and the donation from The King is a welcome addition that makes this project possible.
“It is valuable that donors want to be involved and invest in our new projects and concepts. It enables us to develop rescue boats for sea rescue both today and in the future,” says Lars Samuelsson, CEO of the Swedish Sea Rescue Society.
The CEO of the Swedish Sea Rescue Society shows The King a model of the new rescue boat.
The first unit is currently in production. The expected launch date is sometime in 2025.
photos by Mats Ryde, Sjöräddningssällskapet