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Category: rescue

Ribcraft’s RIBs Showcases for Professionals

Karel Overlaet, RIB Advocate

RIB Candy for Professionals

Ribcraft’s new website was launched on November 5th 2025 and here it is!

Established in 1993 in Great Britain, Ribcraft® is a global builder of custom and series-built Rigid Inflatable Boats (RIBs).

Designed in the United Kingdom and manufactured in-house, its boats are well-known for outstanding durability, strength, and performance for professionals worldwide.

The hull sizes ranges from 3.5 to 14.5 meter.

It created a larger base over the years: USA, Middle East, Australia and India. You can say that the sun never sets on Ribcraft®.

The company also has models for the leisure market.

When I received raw footage from Ribcraft I was allowed to edit it. I hope you like it.: Professional Grade RIBCRAFT Takes On Tough Seas!

This video was published on the Ribcraft YouTube channel.

I’ve put up more posts here of models from the brand: here they are.

Pros Choose Yamaha and Gemini WR650 by novi-marine

Karel Overlaet, RIB Advocate

Gemini WR650 Scores Highly

This Rigid Inflatable Boat (RIB), known as the Gemini WR 650, proves to be exceptionally adaptable. It serves a diverse spectrum of user requirements.

Perfectly finished by novi-marine, the RIB got the firefighter’s approval, it ticked all the boxes. Including the trustworthy Yamaha outboards.

While frequently chosen for leisure pursuits by families due to its suitability as a recreational RIB. But it can just as rapidly be commissioned as a heavy-duty work platform with significant operational capacity.

The Gemini WR650 is deployed across the globe for vital assignments. These assignments include border surveillance, customs enforcement, law enforcement activities, and various life-saving rescue operations.

This video was published on the RIBs ONLY YouTube channel.

Gemini Marine offers more impressive models: check them out!

Proud to share that Gemini Marine and novi-marine are good Friends of RIBs ONLY.

Specs

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“What I Love About the Atlantic 85 B Class Lifeboat”

Karel Overlaet, RIB Advocate

Impressive Atlantic 85 B Class

No, these are not my own findings but those of Matias, an RNLI Sea Survival Trainer. (website).

In this video, he shows and explains why he loves this particular RIB, the Atlantic 85 B Class lifeboat.

It is one of their fastest vessels in the fleet, built for speed, reliability, and efficiency during life-saving missions at sea.

The RNLI constructs its Atlantic RIBs in-house at the Inshore Lifeboat Centre in Cowes on the Isle of Wight.

Additional work is also carried out at its Poole facility, ensuring a consistent and tightly controlled production process.

This allows the charity to maintain quality standards, keep costs manageable, and provide the best rescue equipment for volunteer crews.

You can find all impressive and very detailed specs on this page.

This video was published on the RNLI YouTube channel.

If you’re interested in more videos of the RNLI, dive in. And if you want to broaden your horizon on rescue, look no further.

RNLI Demo Atlantic 85 Capsize

Karel Overlaet, RIB Advocate

RNLI Demo: a Lifesaving Drill in Action

I have deep respect for rescue teams, many of whom volunteer their time.

They stand ready in dangerous situations, always watching our backs, ensuring safety, and showing remarkable courage.

Their dedication inspires confidence, reminding us of the vital role they play every day.

The crew always reacts by moving toward the vessel. They collect the swim line. They confirm everyone is present. They conduct a welfare check.

During the capsize, one crew member may become trapped beneath the vessel. Another crew member heads forward to attempt a release.

Beneath the overturned hull, an air pocket allows brief breathing. However, staying there long is dangerous. Awareness of surroundings is limited.

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XW Production: XW Modular 750 Rigid Inflatable Boat

Karel Overlaet, RIB Advocate

The XW Modular 750’s Hull Design

A new brand has been added to RIBsONLY.com — number 275.

After finding only a single video from this brand on their website, I reached out to Jürgen Visnapuu (LinkedIn) at XW Production to learn more.

The hull was designed in-house by XW Production’s founding member Niclas Hans Kling (Sweden). He teamed up with the core engineering team.

Kling has an Impressive background at the Swedish Defence Materiel Administration.

Together, they created a platform built for professional demands from the ground up like the XW Modular 750 Rigid Inflatable Boat.

Built Where Tradition Meets Innovation

Production takes place on Muhu Island, Estonia (EU).

Each hull, like this XW Modular 750, is welded from marine-grade aluminum, before being fully outfitted and quality-assured on site.

This ensures total control over craftsmanship, durability, and performance.

Three Things That Set the Brand Apart

The brand distinguishes itself for three key reasons:

  1. Fully Modular Mission Deck
    Quick-swap modules—whether for diving, SAR, sonar, or crew transport—allow rapid reconfiguration without structural modifications. Adapt in minutes to changing mission requirements.
  2. Exceptional Seakeeping and Pro Ergonomics
    A deep-V aluminum hull ensures stability and composure even in heavy chop. The low tube height is optimized for effortless diver deployment and recovery.
  3. Rugged and “Unsinkable” Mindset
    With a marine-grade aluminum structure and a high-buoyancy collar (≈ 1.5 times the fully loaded displacement), the boat is built for crash tolerance and extreme reliability. A USV / autonomy-ready power / data backbone makes it future-proof for unmanned and tech-integrated operations.

So there you have it.

This video of the XW Modular 750 was published on the XW Modular YouTube channel.

Specs

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