News: New longer Sealegs | ADM July 2012

Sealegs Corporation Limited, manufacturers of the innovative range of amphibious boats, has unveiled a 7.7-metre version, which has applications for both Special Forces and law enforcement agencies.

The 7.7-metre Rigid Inflatable Boat joins a family of smaller vessels in the Sealegs portfolio and was developed for the Earthrace Conservation Organisation.

After being used for sea trials around New Zealand, where the boats are made, the first example will be shipped to Africa, where it is to be used on fisheries patrol missions.

Earthrace has had a significant influence in vessel’s development, including input by several ex-US Special Forces personnel.

It is powered by two 90 horsepower Evinrude outboards, capable of propelling the vessel at speeds well in excess of 30 knots. New Ullman shock mitigating seats are provided for six occupants, including the driver, to mitigate shocks transmitted through the body by the impacts experienced at such high speeds.

An aft-mounted mast houses a gyro-stabilised Forward-Looking Infra-Red camera, with the data displayed on the Simrad GPS fishfinder screen in front of the driver.

David Henry, Director of local distributor Sealegs International, says the new variant has performed very impressively in trials to date and sees a requirement for its unique capabilities in the region.

The company has previously proposed a 10-metre version aimed at Special Forces applications, capable of carrying 14 troops, with a range of over 200 nautical miles.

Sealegs International displayed one of the smaller boats at the Pacific 2012 show in Sydney in January and has also presented the vessel to Defence, including the Defence Science and Technology Organisation, and the Australian Federal Police. It has also been demonstrated to a number of commercial businesses in Australia.

“All those who have been onboard have marvelled at the Sealegs capability,” said David Henry. “It’s a really impressive vessel.”