King Carl XVI Gustaf of Sweden recently inspected the K15-SAR-01 at the SSRS/ Ø-Varvet assembly yard on the Hønø island outside Gothenburg. The K15-SAR is a new rescue boat class to a design by Birger Kullmann and the very first vessel is a donation to the Swedish Sea Rescue Society from his majesty. It is an all carbon sandwich construction built by Swede Ship Composites to a standard almost as for a custom «one off» race boat.
The King was also enjoying a ride in the recently launched K12-SAR-03 previous to inspecting the K15 at the yard. He also got a chance to test-drive the K12 himself when handed the «wheel» (or rather the joystick on the custom Ullman seat).
King Carl Gustaf also got the chance to take the Cruden B.V. made simulator at the site for a spin. The K12 «airbus type» simulator, will be the most advanced SAR vessel simulator in existence when the test centre opens later this year. There will also be simulators for the K9 and K15 there.
Photos by SSRS and Sara Friberg/ Royal Court.
