Malaysian Fire Department orders Sealegs Rescue Craft
03 August 2009
Sealegs International (NZX: SLG) today announced that the Malaysian Fire Department (BOMBA) have ordered eight Sealegs amphibious marine craft for national flood rescue operations. The Albany-based manufacturer has established an operational record with the Fire & Rescue Department of the Federal Malaysian Government since the deployment of their first Sealegs vessels to Malaysia in early 2008.
Sealegs CEO Mr David McKee Wright said that a large number of locations throughout Malaysia, both coastal and inland, are prone to flooding and Sealegs amphibious boats have achieved distinction in rescue operations. The close involvement of the company with Malaysian authorities has led to the development of an Extended Run Time (‘XRT’) variant of the Sealegs craft, allowing for prolonged operational activity in especially hot and humid environments.
“This is a significant, multi-unit government order for Sealegs amphibious craft and is the result of successfully completing a lengthy and rigorous tender, evaluation and approval process” said McKee-Wright.
Sealegs amphibious craft meet European CE and U.S. Coast Guard requirements and are fully configured and fitted with a range of appropriate civil defence-type options for deployment in harsh operating environments. Rescue, Defence and Police variants of the amphibious craft have also been deployed with the Italian fire department in Rome and the Commissioner of Police in Mumbai, India.
Mr McKee Wright said he had already received an additional order for two further Sealegs craft from a separate department within the Malaysian government. The company’s unique amphibious technology requires little specialised training by operators. Supported by a strong local reseller, which is a key element of Sealegs global market’s penetration, the company has secured a level of wide acceptance by field personnel and Malaysian civil defence planners, to the extent the company will likely see further orders from Malaysia.
