South African RIB specialist Gemini Marine reports a rare production milestone with a ‘full sweep’ of orders from the south Atlantic islands of Tristan da Cunha, St Helena, and Ascension.

All three islands are separate territories under the British Crown, and as of this week all three will now use Gemini RIBS as their official search and rescue vessels.

“We have supplied Tristan da Cunha, we have supplied St Helena Island, and now this week we received an order from Ascension Island as well,” yard owner Gerhard Neethling told SABBEX. “These are some of the most remote islands in the world, so we are very pleased that Gemini Marine is trusted and has such a strong presence there.”

St Helena acquired two Gemini 8.5m RIBS in 2015, followed by Tristan da Cunha in 2018. Ascension has ordered a Gemini WR-880, due to be delivered early next year.

Neethling said Gemini’s robust designs and proven track record made their RIBs a natural fit for the south Atlantic, which has witnessed some dramatic rescues and maritime accidents over the years.

The company also recently supplied a Custom Rescue WR-880 to the Jersey Lifeboat Association, and to SpaceX to serve as recovery boats for the space missions.

News of the south Atlantic ‘three-peat’ comes fresh on the heels of another Gemini milestone – a new Gemini RIB for Addo Elephant National Park in the Eastern Cape, as reported in last month’s SABBEX newsletter. The vessel will be used to protect the Park’s large marine protected area in nearby Algoa Bay.

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