GOT Marine delivers record-breaking rescue vessel RS 178
- Amalie Eilertsen
- 20. aug.
- 2 min lesing
GOT Marine has delivered RS 178 to the Norwegian Society for Sea Rescue (Redningsselskapet). The 32-metre vessel is the largest and most advanced rescue vessel in the organisation’s 135-year history and represents one of the most complex vessel projects completed at GOT Marine’s shipyard in Mandal, Norway.
Designed by Naval Dynamics and built in seawater-resistant aluminium at GOT Marine’s Gismerøya shipyard, RS 178 combines a top speed of up to 30 knots, 34 tonnes of bollard pull and a range of 600 nautical miles.
For GOT Marine, however, the significance of the project goes beyond the vessel itself. RS 178 represents a new level of complexity for the yard and has required close cooperation between GOT Marine, Redningsselskapet, Naval Dynamics and key technology suppliers throughout the development and construction process.
The vessel has been developed around a demanding operational profile. It must be capable of switching between search and rescue, patient transport, towing, firefighting and diving operations, while maintaining high levels of performance, safety and reliability.
On board, RS 178 features a dedicated treatment room, diving room and diving platform. For larger and more complex incidents, the vessel can also serve as an operational command centre. Energy optimisation has been a key part of the technical development of RS 178.
The vessel combines an energy-efficient hull design with a hybrid diesel-electric propulsion system. Two MAN 175D main engines, each rated at 2,220 kW, work together with two Danfoss permanent-magnet electric motors and a 376 kWh battery system.
At low speeds, RS 178 can manoeuvre on electric propulsion, while the batteries can be charged via PTO from the main engines during operation. RS 178 has challenged GOT Marine across engineering, project management, production and outfitting, while requiring close integration with specialist suppliers and the vessel designer.
For the yard, the value of the project therefore extends beyond a single delivery.
The experience gained from integrating hull design, conventional and electric propulsion, battery systems and demanding operational requirements can be transferred to future vessel projects. RS 178 – key technical data
Length: 32 metres
Top speed: up to 30 knots
Cruising speed: 25 knots
Range: 600 nautical miles
Bollard pull: 34 tonnes
Hull: seawater-resistant aluminium
Main engines: 2 × MAN 175D, 2,220 kW each
Electric propulsion: 2 × Danfoss permanent-magnet motors
Battery capacity: 376 kWh
Gearboxes: 2 × Kumera KMG-450-V
Propulsion: twin four-bladed controllable-pitch propellers, Ø 1,600 mm
Design: Naval Dynamics
Shipyard: GOT Marine
