Australian Surf Rescue RIB's and the SS Dicky at Dicky Beach

[kubcat]

Just came back from a holiday up north and took some photos.

These surf rescue boats are found at most surf beaches. From memory they are Achilles with 30hp tiller steer and a stainless prop guard.

The beach got its name from the S.S. Dicky, which funnily enough also had 30hp. It was a steamship at 226 tons gross that ran aground over a hundred years ago. It is located at Dicky Beach, Caloundra, Queensland Australia.

"The iron screw steamer 'Dicky' was on a voyage from Rockhampton to Brisbane when she was blown onto the beach near present-day Bunbubah Creek, Caloundra during cyclonic weather on 4 February 1893. After repeated attempts failed to successfully refloat the vessel the salvage rights were sold to a Mr Boram. Stripped of everything saleable, the empty hull was left to the elements. For a number of years it was used by bathers as a dressing shed. In 1963 the propeller was removed for mounting on a monument in the park at Dicky Beach. In 2006 the Caloundra City Council commenced a preservation program to help extend the life of the wreck."

[Brian]

They dont particularly look like ribs to me. More like sibs?

[kubcat]

Originally Posted by Brian

They dont particularly look like ribs to me. More like sibs?

I was just checking to make sure everyone was paying attention....actually I was the one not paying attention, I thought they were all RIB's now and they used to be all SIB's.

Just in case anyone wanted more info on them:

From the Achilles website ::SURF RESCUE

ACHILLES are by far the most popular IRB's on the market with 5 different models:

SSL-375:: THE POCKET ROCKET is the fastest and most popular soft hull on the market. It is the model that most clubs use for racing (Over 1000 sold to the surf life saving clubs since 1982).
SSL-385:: This model is a great patrol boat, and is longer and more buoyant than the POCKET ROCKET.
RH-375:: This is the POCKET ROCKET converted to have a rigid hull with all the speed and quick maneuverability of the SSL-375. But it is more durable especially for running up on the sand and also turns more quickly.
RH-385:: Same as the RH-375 except length is 3.85m.

[m chappelow]

ARANCIA INDUSTRIES LTD

Boat on the 1st and 2nd pic down is an Arancia ,
Newzealand company that make sibs and ribs, they started exporting irb,s to Australia in the 80s for use on beaches .
rnli have a licence now to build them for the beach lifeguards and for use in flood rescue in the uk,


good story about the wreck on the beach also plenty of RiBS on that pic ,,,,,the metal type lol

[rich hand]

How many hours do you reckon these boats run for per day or year? I have the chance to buy a 2005 30hp mercury from one of these boats and wondering on the hours of use.

[kubcat]

Originally Posted by rich hand

How many hours do you reckon these boats run for per day or year? I have the chance to buy a 2005 30hp mercury from one of these boats and wondering on the hours of use.

No idea on the hours.

A friend of mine sells them to the surf clubs, maintains them and buys them back well before they are worn out. The clubs being emergency services require the highest level of reliability.

A 2005 is a bit older than the usual turnaround in Sydney.

[rich hand]

actually found out this one has been used only for 3 summers and has about 100hrs use

[kubcat]

Sounds like it's sold. Enjoy