Our Boats: R100

R100 is the group's flagship vessel and is located at our headquarters in Challenger Harbour, Fremantle. 

R100 was launched August 2005.

When looking at replacing the previous, aging R100, Fremantle Sea Rescue’s boating committee had the unenviable task of putting together a draft design criteria to build an even better vessel. At least one issue was easy to decide, who to design the new vessel. We again looked to Mark Ellis Marine Design to come up with another outstanding design. Although many say ‘big is better’ our years of experience dispelled this theory, we knew that a 10 metre vessel was all that was needed to accommodate up to 7 crew, tow vessels in excess of 30 metres and still be able to operate in reef areas and shallow water.

As the vessel was again a custom design, we needed to find someone to build it. A chance encounter during a Perth boat show led  to negotiations with a local boat builder. They were producing a  successful 7.5 metre catamaran and was looking to add a 10 – 12 metre design to his fleet. they suggested we build the hull utilising a technique known as “vacuum infusion process”. The advantage was a lighter vessel with greatly increased strength.

R100 is the first surveyed power boat to be manufactured using this technique in the southern hemisphere. The comfort and safety of our crews was paramount and the vessel was set out and equipped with this as a priority. Key factors were stability, vision, wide walkways, reliable and state of the art electronics and the best communications available. Our new vessel has a greater capability to operate anywhere it is required along our coast, in the worst of conditions and is limited only by its fuel range.

The R100 during a rescue mission