Two marine technology innovators have unveiled a remotely-operated fireboat with upgradable autonomy that is designed tackle port and ship fires better than manned vessels.
The Vancouver-based naval architecture firm Robert Allan and international marine technology specialist Kongsberg Maritime have developed the RALamander 2000 (pictured from all angles below) to keep first responders safe while they effectively tackle port fires.
Kongsberg Maritime stated in a release that RALamander will be able to attack fires quicker than manned vessels due to in-close firefighting and an 'eye in the fire' capability that keeps marine firefighting professionals out of harm's way.
Fires at ports can involve containers, petrochemicals, shore-side structures or vessels can cause toxic smoke or explosion risks.
This may delay or even prevent manned assets from responding effectively.
Kongsberg Maritime has presented RALamander as a vessel that can tackle this problem by either strengthening a firefighting fleet or as a standalone solution.
The RALamander 2000:
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Vessel communications go through a Kongsberg Maritime high-bandwidth, low latency wireless link to a semi-portable RALamander operator console that can be located on a manned fireboat, tug or pilot boat.
Kongsberg will also leave RALamander’s autonomous control systems open to upgrades.
The vessel features a retractable mast that can bring one of the three monitors to a high point of attack for shipboard or dock fires, while a low-profile design makes it possible to attack under-wharf and marina fires remotely.
A range of auto functions are also planned for firefighting, including dynamic positioning and water spray target holding.
It also has a process called 'line protection' where RALamander automatically moves back and forth along a line while directing protective spray cover on shore structures or vessels threatened by a fire.
In addition, if a burning vessel poses a threat to its surroundings, RALamander can be used to tow it a safe distance by means of its Grapnel Emergency Towing (GET) system.
