Unique boats made in Itchenor to join explorer superyacht in Antarctica

The ribs (rigid inflatable boats), which were made by Rafnar UK, a company based in Itchenor’s Northshore Shipyard, will soon be heading to colder climates to join an Explorer Superyacht carrying out research in the Antarctic ocean.

Called Rafnar Ribs, the boats have a unique design which allows them to go out in all weathers.

While normally ribs bounce up and down on the waves, creating a slamming sensation which is tiring and even dangerous for crews, the special design of the Rafnar Rib allows them to travel at up to 40 knots even in rough seas, reducing the slamming by up to 80 per cent.

Mark McAllister, operations director of Rafnar UK, said: “It’s a lovely safe boat...You don’t get banged around.

“The crew won’t be so tired.”

Originally designed in Iceland by a billionaire who ploughed over €50,000,000 into the project, the Chichester company is one of just three in the world that makes the boats – and the only location in the UK.

The key feature of the design is a bulge under the front of the boat which contributes to it being sucked down into the water, rather than skimming on the waves.

In Iceland the boats are currently used by lifeboat crews up in the North Atlantic, where they are operation in very heavy seas most days.

Mr McAllister is confident that the new few years will see them increasingly used by the RNLI and the armed forces here in the UK.

He said the small team working at the Itchenor shipyard was ‘very proud to be a part of this iconic brand’.