DuroWipers has built a strong reputation for supplying the Royal National Lifeboat Institution’s (RNLI) new Shannon class lifeboats with its industry leading wipers and this is continuing into 2018 as more newbuilds enter into service.
RNLB Stella and Humfrey Berkeley 13-25 Credit: RNLI/Nicholas Leach
In April, the newbuild Barbara Anne lifeboat went into service at Lytham St Annes, kitted out with DuroWipers R Class 50 wipers.
Then in May, the £2.2m Humfrey Berkeley 13-25 went into service out of Leverburgh equipped with the same top-quality wipers.
“We originally secured the RNLI contract back in 2012 to equip 57 vessels and the competition for suppliers was ruthless,” said Noel Gould, owner, DuroWipers.
“The RNLI wanted a wiper which would perform underwater and be able to rotate 360 degrees and still work. This high profile ongoing contract is a testament to our wiper design and durability.”
The BARBARA ANNE heads for the beach Credit: RNLI/David Forshaw
Robust and high quality
The DuroWipers R Class 50 wiper system is the smallest in the DuroWipers range and is ideal for applications where space is at a premium.
As will all DuroWipers systems, they have unique patented twin drive shafts and rotary mechanism giving a smooth and powerful stroke.
The RNLI has also just completed one of its relief vessels named John Metters and there is another relief Shannon named Joanna and Henry Williams currently in progress, expected to be accepted into the fleet later next month. Both are equipped with DuroWipers systems.
These relief vessels act as stand-ins for regular lifeboats while they receive regular maintenance and upgrades. The RNLI currently has over 100 boats in its relief fleet including a combination of inshore-lifeboats and all-weather lifeboats – including the Shannon class.
The next newbuild Shannon class lifeboat at Seahouses is expected in 2019.
“We know how important this contract is and we are hopeful that there will be more work coming from the RNLI when the Shannon class contract comes to an end. It’s a reliable steadfast in these uncertain times pre-Brexit and has brought more work our way,” said Mr Gould.
Extended guarantees
DuroWipers offers a ten-year guarantee on its wipers for the RNLI and a lifetime guarantee on its products to the Royal Navy. For commercial operators it offers a free warranty for three years, above and beyond the usual 12-month standard.
This is DuroWiper’s real selling point because it means no need for any spares or maintenance costs. Although, as Mr. Gould points out it also makes the company its “own worst enemy” as there is only new business to be had.
Previously, DuroWipers has retrofitted three UK Royal Navy RFA Vessels over the past eight years - the Fort Rosalie, the Fort Austin and the Diligence.
But it’s not just the RNLI and the Royal Navy that have benefitted from DuroWipers expertise.
DFDS Ferries, P&O, Damen, the Colombian navy and Norwegian operator Umoe Mandal all count themselves as satisfied customers.
DuroWipers is also currently doing some work for China’s refurb market having secured some recent ferry orders.
Seawork International 2018
DuroWipers will be back at Seawork International again this year with its usual impressive display of demo wipers on stand (PY115).
