Our Ferry Boat
The Boat we have chosen to use is an R.I.B. or Rigid Inflatable Boat and sometimes referred to as a Rigid-Hulled inflatable boat.
This basically means that it has a solid hull fabricated/constructed in fibre glass, but also has a "bouyancy ring" attached to the upper levels of the hull. This boat is undercover allowing for comfort and convenience in travelling.
The RIB is powered by twin Yamaha ME422 High Output Diesel Sterndrives (275hp), giving a top speed of around 38 knots, cruising around 30 knots.
Internally, the RIB has been designed to be suited to it's purpose of commuting. Forward is a spacious double berth, including a sea toilet. In the main cabin, full individual seating for 12 passengers and 2 crew is provided, and includes 4 point safety harnesses. Aft of the cabin, two storage racks have been fitted to take all the usual passenger luggage. Aft is the separate engine bay compartment.
The RIB will operate under a P3 license from the Department of Marine in Eire. To facilitate this, all the necessary code safety equipment and construction requirements have been satisfied.
Fitout includes:
- Raymarine C120 Plotter and Radar
- ICOM DSC VHF Radio
- CD Player/Sound System
- Navman Fishfinder
- DVD/Multimedia Player System
- Offshore Compass
- Internal & External Lighting
- Stern Platform
- 16 Man Sea-Sure Liferaft
- 12 + 2 Seats
- Full Safety & Fire Fighting Kit
A bouyancy ring can be thought of as an flotation device made of rubber and filled with air compressed within a particular range. The theory is that should the hull be breached, or where freak waves may enter the boat; then the boat will stay afloat.
Positioned on the left ( port ) and right (starboard) of the boat, this bouyancy device has three seperate chambers per side; that is six independently inflated chambers on the one boat.
The Crew.
Two crew members will be on board the boat at all times. These are required for navigation and handling goods.
What certs?, safety, first aid, life saving, etc.
Engine
Boat Pictures.
"Port" is a replacement term for "Larboard" and means the left hand side of any boat or sea vessel, as you look forward ("Bow"). Not unlike the establishment of a phonetic alphabet and the possibility of chaos without it, larboard sounded too much like starboard. In a time sensitive situation, verbal commands and instructions need clarity. A boat is no exception.
Starboard is always the right hand side of a boat, again as you look forward. Its derived from the word "Steeringboard" which was the primitive rudder or steering device. In fact, it was no more than a long oar sticking out of the right hand side of a boat for a very practical reason; a sea faring man was more likely to be right handed and would have more power!
Pictures of the boat under construction during the build of the boat in XXXXX
Previous page: Light House
Next page: Ferry Service