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Our VALENTIJN Class RIB lifeboats

The VALENTIJN is justifiably the "pride" of HABBEKÉ SHIPYARD's building programme. Seventeen vessels have been completed and delivered to the Royal Netherlands Sea Rescue Institution KNRM and a further three are on order.  The VALENTIJN can rescue up to 50 people and has shown her worth and ability in the dangerous seas around The Netherlands. In 2000 the design was modified; by making the boats slightly longer, a larger work deck at the stern was created and the wheelhouse provides more confort to the crew. But the most significant difference with the old version is that the VALENTIJN 2000 class is fully self rightning.

The VALENTIJN is designed by W. de Vries Lentsch (de Rijp) and is based upon the early design work of the lifeboat designer David Stockton (from the UK).  David Stockton was one of the earlier specialists in the design and application of RIBs.

These vessels are built according to the standards and rules of the American Bureau of Shipping (ABS X A1 HSC.AMS).

	Length overall	11.00 metres
	Length of hull	10.46 metres
	Length on waterline	8.57 metres
	Maximum Beam (over the tubes)	4.10 metres
	Beam (hull)	3.52 metres
	Draft	0.70 metres
	Weight	10.00 ton
	Fuel capacity:	1270 litres
	Performance	35 knots
	Action radius (full power)	6 hours

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Our Caister RIB lifeboat

Picture courtesy of Mike Nutt. PLAY MOVIE

For the British Caister Lifeboat Organization we've build the BERNARD MATTHEWS II, a RIB lifeboat, based on the VALENTIJN concept. In addition HABBEKÉ SHIPYARD was tasked to modify the Caterpillar Tractor, so that it could be used for launching the vessel from the beach. Extensive modifications were required to the cab and a new engine cowling was fitted. Other work carried out involved the fitting of hydrolic controls required to operate the carriage.