Funding Needed for New Rescue Vessel

By Carine Locher

Mar 13, 2020

VISAR is asking the community to help us secure the balance of the funds needed to replace Virgin Gorda’s rescue vessel, Gorda Peak. All fundraising efforts to replace Gorda Peak were halted while we rebuilt after Hurricane Irma and Maria, but now the current rescue vessel must be retired. VISAR is aiming to have the new vessel on station for September 2020 and in order to hit that goal, we need to raise an additional $100,000. Please consider donating. Any and all amounts are appreciated and will allow us to continue our mission of “Saving Lives at Sea.”

BOAT REQUIREMENTS: VISAR’s Vice President and Virgin Gorda Senior Helm, Lars Giersing has spent the past four years researching the best rescue vessel to suit the needs of the Virgin Gorda crew. While there are many objectives for the new boat the main concern is the stability and comfort for the crew and the injured. As the Virgin Gorda crew are tasked with responding to emergencies within Virgin Gorda including The Sound and The Baths, as well as The Dogs and all the way out to Anegada which historically tends to have rough sea conditions.

RAFNAR 1100: In late 2017 the Board of Directors voted to purchase a Rafnar 1100 which has a state of the art hull designed to significantly increase onboard safety for crew and passengers*. The Rafnar 1100 was developed in close co-operation with the Icelandic Coast Guard and the Icelandic Association for Search and Rescue and has proven itself to be a smooth platform in any sea conditions.

Benefits of the Rafnar Hull: Up to 95% impact reduction vs. deep-v planing hulls*
-Exceptionally smooth and comfortable due to limited slam on waves.*
-Significantly reduced slamming results in less mechanical and equipment fatigue, extending the lifetime of expensive electronic equipment on board.*
-Greater on-board safety from significantly reduced slamming means reduced risk of injury, lower crew and passenger fatigue and related costs.*
-Precision performance without compromising cruising or top speed.*
-Immediate handling response with no sliding.*
-No wake create behind the vessel, resulting in less water disturbance.*
-High payload capacity without compromising cruising or top speed.*
-Exceptional stability and balance when idle and at speed.*