The Brisbane branch of RFD Australia was won a contract to supply specialist life rafts for a fleet of ferries destined to transport people along the Thames River in London.
                                      
The six ferries are being constructed in Brisbane by Brisbane Ship Constructions and each ferry is being fitted with four RFD Ferryman model life rafts.  Each of the RFD Ferryman life rafts is rated to carry 65 passengers, with the four RFD life rafts on each boat providing the capability to carry 260 people.

“The Ferryman life raft is ideal for this specific purpose,” said Mark Barker  RFD’s Managing Director.

The Ferryman raft is a large capacity, self inflating life raft that has a reversible design; irrespective of which way it floats, it is the correct way up.  Due to the operating situation of the Thames River where the banks and other boating traffic is close at hand, there is no canopy on the raft making it easy to board from either the water of a stricken ferry.

On board the Thames ferries, the Ferryman raft is stored in a fibreglass canister which can be launched manually or by remote control from the bridge.  Once in the water, the raft is inflated automatically and quickly thanks to the on-board gas cylinder.

Once deployed, multiple boarding ladders permit easy access from numerous locations around the Ferryman.  Night lights are fitted as are automatic bailers.

“The six Thames ferries being built in Brisbane is a huge accolade for the Australian boat building industry,” Mark Barker said.

“It is also a welcome compliment to have the Australian arm of RFD supply the specialist life rafts for this project.

Mark Barker
Managing DirectorRFD Pty. Ltd
Ph:      (03) 9532 1822
Fax:   (03) 9532 1949

Email: mark.barker@rfdaust.com.au
Web: www.rfd.com.au