The World's First Electrical Rescue Boat
Norwegian Company, Evoy together with VIKING Life-Saving Equipment,making a historic launch with possibly the world’s first electrically powered 6.55meter rescue boat, the VIKING Norsafe E-Mako-655.
VIKING Norsafe is the lifeboat, rescue boat and davit branch of VIKING Life-Saving Equipment, whose mission is “to protect and save human lives all over the world.
The Mako-655 is an existing rescue boat design that, up until now, has only been offered with traditional engine propulsion due to the current IMO / SOLAS regulation which states that rescue boats of this type must have at least one internal combustion engine.
Together with forward-thinking engineers at VIKING Norsafe, we are challenging this somewhat out of date convention, with VIKING’s medium to long-term goal of overturning the existing rule with the assistance of renowned classification society, DNV, who have submitted a SOLAS Novel Design application in support of the new technology.
Eliminates risks – increases reliability
According to Erik Mostert, head of R&D, VIKING Norsafe, the benefits of electrical propulsion, specifically for rescue boats, in terms of their reduced maintenance, increased reliability and sustainability, are as equally desirable for the rescue services sector, as they are for the leisure marine market.
Erik and our team at Evoy believe the existing rule will eventually become obsolete, following the rise in popularity and the eventual widespread use of electric propulsion for boats across the commercial and leisure sectors.
VIKING Norsafe already have plenty of evidence with customers who are becoming increasingly more receptive to concepts with 100% electrically powered life boats and the company already have ongoing deliveries to major clients for this equipment. And for Evoy’s part, we have pioneered a number of unique firsts in electric marine propulsion market, including their prototype of the Outboard Storm, the world´s most powerful electric outboard engine, with 300+ hp.
"Standards and regulations require a lifeboat to be started and stopped routinely to verify that they are operational. Evoy´s electric motors and battery systems eliminate the potential risks of wear and deterioration of internal combustion engines in association with this start/stop process."
Erik Mostert, head of R&D, VIKING Norsafe
"We are very excited for the partnership and frame agreement with VIKING. They are and have been a beacon in maritime safety for decades and we are humble that they have chosen Evoy to showcase to the industry that electric is a highly viable solution already today. Going electric for these types of boats will give great benefits for their owners and users."
Leif A. Stavøstrand, Co-Founder and CEO, Evoy