Vajk Peter Ember 340

Finalist
Credits
  • Tauira / Student
    Vajk Peter
  • Kaiako / Lecturers
    Anke Nienhuis, T'heniel Chetty
Description:

Cold, scared, stranded on a roof; you see Ember 340 approaching – a spark of hope.
Floods and extreme weather events are increasing in number and severity, and even moderate-scale ones can overwhelm the system. We are nationally underprepared for flood response.

Rescuers finally have an optimised boat. No more borrowing crafts or resorting to wading through deadly unknown waters. Teams have the affordable Ember 340 ready on a moment's notice. Movement by hand is easy with a craft marginally heavier than inflatables, and with a hull boasting better abrasion resistance than even steel or concrete; Ember is perfect for reaching spots that crews couldn't before.

Ember 340 is designed for New Zealand floods, equipped to offer us safety in the worst situations. A sturdy 3.4m high-density polyethylene hull offers a robustness that is simply unachievable with inflatables. Smooth rolling edges and a variety of holds enable the two crew to easily help victims to clamber inside and sit cradled inside the soft, expanded PE seats. Gear is readily available in the dry cabinets and under the hood at the bow.

Along with strict performance criteria and a more than competitive price, sustainability is still maintained. The hull is constructed from recycled HDPE that is plate welded, requiring no adhesives or fixtures. The seats are polyethylene foam and can be recycled together with the hull. Local construction removes long freight and its carbon emissions. Lifelong repair of the boat and interchangeability of components ensure the same craft is in use for much longer.

Under ISO 12217-3, Ember has a CE capacity of 8 for less severe rescues (collecting people from rooves and trees; the majority of rescues), and 3.5 for rough conditions (e.g. river rescues).

Ember 340 – A flood rescue boat for New Zealand.