One of Liverpool, UK, based RIB specialist MST''s (Marine Specialised Technology Ltd) most recent contracts was for an MST 620WB-4 RIB for the Isle of Man branch of the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries & Forestry for sternramp launching from its 22m mothership the Barrule.
Sternramp launching is gaining popularity. MST director Philip Hilbert says “MST's first RIB for sternramp launching was built in 2003 for Eastern Sea Fisheries. To date we have produced 48 craft for mothership use (launching by either davit or sternramp) with a further 40 on order. Of these, 16 craft have been for sternramp launching, with eight more on order.”
When asked why MST was awarded the contract, Senior Sea Fisheries Officer Colin Eastwood said; “The RIB in question is primarily carried aboard the Isle of Man Fisheries Protection vessel Barrule, so the size of RIB that can be carried is restricted. MST was selected because its craft closely matched the required specification and MST also had a considerable number of the same craft in operation performing similar functions.”
The RIB’s principal duties the enforcement of Sea Fisheries legislation, boarding fishing vessels at sea and transferring Sea Fisheries Officers from the mother vessel to the fishing vessel being inspected. This is carried out in most weather conditions. Which is demanding on any RIB and requires it to be suitably engineered to withstand the impacts of coming alongside commercial fishing vessels at sea.
