Mini Firefighter, the makers of world’s first eco fire extinguisher are the latest company to get behind Team Britannia’s round the world record bid.
The fire extinguishers will be used in an emergency on Team Britannia’s 80ft single hulled semi-wave slicing boat, on their 23,000mile record attempt.
Importantly for team skipper, ocean racing legend Alan Priddy, the canisters contain no harmful chemicals and do not damage the environment.
Alan Priddy commented: “Fire at sea is probably the worst thing that can happen. It is a danger to the craft, regardless of size and to the life of those on board, so it is vital that it is dealt with as quickly as possible. This means having the right equipment.
“What we love about the Mini Firefighter units is that they not only fight fire, are simple to use and cost effective, but they do not use any environmentally damaging chemicals. That’s right, the world’s first fire extinguisher that will not harm aquatic life.”
There are around 1.2 million boats in the UK, even excluding canoes and kayaks this reduces the figures down to around 800,000, more than the number of motorhomes and caravans, most of which have some form of engine, either inboard or outboard, yet despite repeated safety campaigns by respected bodies including the RYA, many small pleasure craft still don’t carry any form of fire fighting equipment.
Mr Priddy continued: “It is a sad fact that many small boats still don’t carry any fire fighting equipment on board thinking they either don’t need to, or can’t afford to. They could not be more wrong.”
The dozen Mini Firefighters will supplement the engine room fire suppressant system, providing easy to access extinguishers around the vessel in case the worst happens. They will be positioned in multiple locations around the vessel including the galley, wheelhouse and crew quarters.
David Jones, Sales Director of the MFF Group commented: “We are delighted to be working with Team Britannia as part of this amazing project. Alan and his crew will showcase a number of the best environmentally friendly technologies and products currently available, from emulsified fuel to our unique Mini Firefighter extinguishers.
Mr Jones continued: “Fire remains one of the top three causes of loss of marine vessels around the world so being able to tackle a blaze quickly is vital. For too long though, putting out a fire on board meant using harsh chemicals, which damaged our seas. This is why we developed our revolutionary fire extinguisher that is easy to use, deals with most types of fire, is small enough to be taken on any boat and does not harm aquatic life.
“This really is a breakthrough, a world first that could bring huge benefits to Britain’s one million plus boat owners – protection for them and protection for our fragile environment.”
Team Britannia’s boat has been designed by Professor Bob Cripps, former Technical Director of VT Halmatic. It will slice the waves, rather than surfing them, with its super-efficient design, a variant of the “fast displacement hull”. This reduces fuel consumption by up to 30 per cent.
In addition to the fuel efficient design the vessel will be powered by a revolutionary fuel emulsion, a mixture of diesel, water and emulsifier, from UK company Clean Fuel that when burnt reduces harmful emissions such as particulate matter and NOx.
Inside the boat will be the latest radar, safety and communications equipment from Raymarine and Iridium Communications.
The boat will be launched in October before commencing two weeks of sea trials before setting off the record attempt on 23rd October 2016 from the iconic Europa Point in Gibraltar.
To complete the record attempt the boat must pass through the Suez and Panama Canals, cross the Tropic of Cancer and the Equator and start and finish in the same place. The world record authorities, UIM (Union Internationale Motonautique) have approved Team Britannia’s proposed route, which will start in Gibraltar and call at Puerto Rico, Manzanillo, Honolulu, Guam, Singapore, Oman and Malta to take on fuel.
Mr Priddy concluded: “We are delighted to be working with the MFF Group who are helping make our boat safe, while minimising our impact on the environment. This matters because for too long we have taken our marine environment for granted and this can’t continue. So demonstrating the latest eco-friendly equipment, under the extreme conditions I hope will encourage more people to switch to these types of products.”
ENDS
Notes to editors:
Team Britannia is a multi-million pound British bid to design and build the fastest and most fuel efficient semi-wave slicing powerboat to circumnavigate the globe for the much-coveted UIM world record, currently held by the New Zealander Pete Bethune at 60 days 23 hours 49 minutes.
The World Record Authorities (UIM) dictate that for recognised circumnavigation the craft has to pass through the Suez and Panama Canals, cross the Tropic of Cancer and the Equator and must start and finish the journey in the same place.
The boat is a completely new design from Professor Bob Cripps, former Technical Director of VT Halmatic. It has been designed in the UK and will be constructed in the Portsmouth area out of marine-grade aluminium. It encompasses “an exceptionally efficient hull”, which will cut fuel consumption by up to 30 per cent.
In addition to the design the vessel will be powered by a revolutionary fuel emulsion, a mixture of diesel, water and emulsifying agent from Clean Fuel Ltd. This will reduce harmful emissions such as particulate matter and nitrogen dioxide.
The effects of the emulsified fuel on the engines and the emissions will be monitored for the duration of the voyage and the results published online.
The boat is being built by the Aluminium Boatbuilding Company based in Hampshire, out of marine-grade aluminium. The metal was produced by Blackburn metals and laser-cut by specialist firm Aalco in Southampton.
The boat will also showcase nearly a dozen leading marine companies, which are supporting the project with their expertise and equipment.
Team Britannia will launch their record bid on 23rd October 2016 from Europa Point in Gibraltar.
Boat specifications:
Length – 80 feet
Internal beam – 13 feet
External beam – 19 feet
Draft – 30 inches
Material – Marine grade aluminium, including nearly 12km of framing
Hull thickness – 8mm
Build weight – 15 tonnes
Range 4,000 nautical miles
Engines – Two customised Fiat Power Train C13 500, 6 cylinders
Power – Each engine is capable of generating 500HP at 2,000 RPM
Water jets – Two Castoldi turbo drive 490 HC
Fuel – Emulsified diesel (diesel, water and a unique emulsion developed by Clean Fuel and its partners)
Navigation station – Raymarine
Crew – 12
For media inquiries, please contact:
Alistair Thompson on alistair@mippr.co.uk or 07970 162 225