Coastwatch rescue boat gets Yamaha twin rescue power

Yamaha Twin Rig Rescue Power
 
Dual Yamaha four stroke outboard engines have been selected to power the latest rescue boat to be launched in Victoria.  A pair of Yamaha F150 model outboards grace the transom of the Coastwatch Rescue boat operating out of the coastal town of Ocean Grove.

With the rig set up by Yamaha dealer Geelong Boating Centre, the Coastwatch Rescue boat is required to operate in both surf conditions and open ocean.   Ocean Grove is situated to the seaward side of the notorius Rip, the entrance to Melbourne’s Port Phillip Bay.

Based on a Gemini 7.0m RIB hull, the Coastwatch Rescue boat is built to survey requirements.  This presented a unique set of technical requirements for the Geelong Boating Centre technical department to satisfy.

“The dual Yamaha F150 outboards were specifically selected for their operational suitability,” said Cameron MacDonald of Geelong Boating Centre.

“Quite apart from the fuel efficiency and quiet operation of the Yamaha F150 four stroke engines, the Coastwatch rescue group wanted the manoeuvrability and towing capability of a twin rig.  And of coursed with 300hp on the transom the rig has blinding speed to reach emergency situations quickly.”

But with dual engines on the transom, survey requirements dictate that each engine has its own and independent fuel and electrical systems.  This means two isolated fuel tanks (150 litres each) with stainless steel braided fuel lines and two batteries with independent electrical circuits.

Fully fuelled the Coastwatch Rescue boat weighs 1800 kgs on the water.  Notwithstanding the weight factor, the performance statistics on the rig remain impressive.

At wide open throttle the Yamaha outboards with counter-rotating gearcases rev out to 6100 rpm spinning their 19” pitch stainless steel props.  Top speed is 51 knots or 94 km/h.

Throttling back to an ideal cruise speed, the tacho needles hover at the 3500 rpm mark with the speed logged at 25 knots or 46 km/h.   At this speed the fuel consumption on the Yamaha F150 engines is just 17.75 litres of fuel per engine per hour or 35.5 litres combined.  This gives the rig an operational potential of almost 9 hours cruising at sea or a theoretical range of around 400 km or 215 nautical miles.

On board the Gemini hull there are numerous concessions to safety that are not found on recreational boats.  The RIB hull has a foam filled fibreglass hull and the air chamber surrounding the hull is made up of nine independent chambers.  The hull has a 24 degree deadrise bottom and is a true performer in the rough water and white water around breaking surf.

With seating for six on board, the important helm station has a bolster set up, much like that used in offshore race boats, so that the helm crew can ride standing but with ample support.   And being a safety vessel, there is extra safety equipment, Furuno electronics and fire fighting gear on board.

 “At Geelong Boating Centre we are particularly proud of the way in which we set up our rescue and safety rigs,” Cameron MacDonald said.  “Our expertise in this area certainly carries over to our Yamaha powered recreational boats.”

Getting the new Coastwatch boat onto the water has been made possible with a grant of $100,182 from Marine Safety Victoria’s Boating Safety and Facilities Program, which is administered on behalf of the Minister for Roads and Ports, the Honourable Tim Pallas.  Funding was awarded to Coast Watch Radio and Marine Rescue Squad – Ocean Grove who through their own resources raised the balance of the funds to complete the project.

Yamaha outboards are available through an Australia-wide network of authorised Yamaha outboard dealers.  All Yamaha 4-stroke outboards are supported with a full 4-year manufacturer’s warranty and all 2-stroke outboards are backed by a 3 year warranty – standard conditions apply.