EDAG Amphibian Lifeboat

In water and on land

Throughout the last few years, the number of rescue and salvage operations carried out due to flooding in Germany has risen dramatically, placing ever-increasing demands on the fire brigade, Disaster Control Service, army and the DLRG*. People living in urban areas have needed to be transported to safety from their partially or completely flooded homes, travelling across both land and water. EDAG, the globally active development partner to the mobility industry, decided to have a look at this task, and developed a multi-functional lifeboat capable of operating both afloat and on land. The world premiere of the innovative lifeboat is taking place at this year's "Rettmobil" exhibition in Fulda (Europe's leading rescue and mobility fair), where EDAG will be presenting this latest development to the public at the stand of the Fulda branch of the DLRG*, Germany's Lifeguard Association.

The Concept: On Land and in Water

The engineers and prototype constructors from EDAG's production division decided to use the catamaran principle for the design of the boat. Not only does its broad structure with two hulls guarantee greater stability in the water for rescue operations, but it also means that the vessel has a shallow draught; a great advantage when the boat is passing through shallow waters. However, the chief attraction of EDAG's lifeboat is its multi-functional drive concept: the pilot has the option of running the boat with a traditional jet engine, which will give it the necessary thrust to move forwards through the water; but can switch over to track drive, should the need arise. At the press of a button, the caterpillar tracks can be hydraulically lowered, enabling the boat to run either on land or in shallow water. For the operator's stand, a standard QUAD was installed in the boat, and this enables the vehicle to be operated as either a boat or a land vehicle. The lifeboat, 5.2 metres long and 2.45 metres wide, has room for 10 people, and, with its aluminium structure, has an unloaded weight of 910 kg. The concept is ideal for use in areas which have been flooded. "With EDAG's new type of lifeboat, even the most uneven terrain, partially or completely under water, becomes easily surmountable," confirms Michael Hohmann, representative for the emergency services of the DLRG* Osthessen-Fulda e.V. "We held an internal presentation of EDAG's lifeboat at the regional meeting of the Association held at the Edersee lake on 5th May 2007, and will be hosting the world premiere for trade visitors at our stand at the RETTMOBIL exhibition". Following the exhibition, the test vehicle will be handed over to the DRLG*-Fulda e.V., who will be continuing tests on the lifeboat. Once the test phase has come to an end, a decision will be made as to whether the DLRG* will continue to use the boat. * DLRG = Germany's Lifeguard Association