Scubaism

Bumiputera boat builder Kaymarine Sdn Bhd is constructing seven all-purpose catamarans for the Marine Department in Peninsular Malaysia at a cost of RM56 million.

The aluminium catamaran high speed inter-island services craft will be used as sea ambulances to move people who fall sick on island resorts or other offshore points to the mainland for medical treatment.

Kaymarine chairman Datuk Wan Mohd Albakri Wan Md Noor said each boat will be have a fully equipped treatment room that meets the requirements of paramedics such as patient monitor, trauma stretcher, medical bunk, first aid box, inspection lamp, mini fridge and oxygen tank.

“Work on building the vessels began last May, and all the more than 200 workers are locals, which demonstrates that their skills are on par with those of foreigners.

“Although we faced several problems, the first of the seven catamarans has already been completed, well ahead of the year-end deadline,” he said at the handing over of the craft at Kelab Teluk Warisan here today.

He said the 26m catamaran named `Sirius’ can travel at up to 28 knots and its range exceeds 400 nautical miles.

The boats being built use high technology such as direct glazing outframeless windows which are widely used in fast ferries, passenger vessels and cruise liners. The walls are made of aluminium honeycomb panels, which is a new product that is light yet sturdy.

Marine Department director general Datuk Kapt Ahmad Othman said at the handing over that the catamarans are being built under an Eighth Malaysia Plan allocation that has been extended into the current Ninth Plan.

“All this while, we haven’t had vessels that are suitable to transport patients from offshore to shore, especially at night, and these catamarans will enable us to not only provide this service at all hours but also help improve the department’s operations,” he added.

The first catamaran will be based at Kuala Terengganu to serve the people at Redang and Kapas islands, while the others will be at several other islands like Tioman, Labuan, Langkawi, Pangkor and Pulau Ketam.