| Criteria |
Features |
Limitations |
| Accessibility and Manoeuvrability |
- Highly agile, can make quick turns in rough water.
- They can navigate around rocks, jetties, and other obstacles with ease.
- RWCs can reach patients in locations that are inaccessible by land and other rescue craft, such as rocky coastline, cliff faces or areas with heavy surf. This accessibility makes them especially valuable for rescues in complex locations.
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- Operating at low speeds reduces the ability to manoeuvre
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| Speed |
- Fast, ideal for rapid response in emergency situations.
- RWCs can quickly reach distressed swimmers, reducing response time.
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- Operating at high speeds could pose risks to both the Operators and other water users.
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| Size |
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- The weight can make them difficult to launch and manouvre.
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| Shallow Water Operations |
- Better for shallow water rescues due to their shallow draft.
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| Risks of Jet Intake |
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- RWC impellers take in water to run the jet unit, and care must be taken to ensure obstructions are not ingested into the intake. This may include debris, rope, sand and rocks.
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| Crew Capacity |
- Can be operated by one person making it resource efficient.
- Ability to carry a second Crewperson to assist with rescues.
- Flexible tool when people resources are at a premium.
- Operator positioning is always symmetrical and therefore makes it more comfortable for extended periods of time.
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| Rescue Capability |
- High speed response.
- Ideal for rescuing conscious patients in the surf zone.
- Suitable for rescuing unconscious patients in the surf zone, ideally with a Crewperson.
- Great for locations where lack of personnel is a factor.
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- Not ideal for mass rescues.
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| Safety for Operators |
- RWCs are equipped with important safety features, including kill cords, ergonomic designs, and stable hulls, which protect Operators during high-risk rescues.
- The ability to quickly disengage the engine if the Operator becomes dislodged reduces the risk of injury.
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| Versatility |
- Can be used for various rescue scenarios, including swimmer rescues, and support during events and carnivals.
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| Maintenance |
- RWCs are a reliable craft with only basic maintenance tasks required of operator pre and post operation.
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- RWCs require regular servicing by authorised service representatives.
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| Reliability |
- RWCs are a reliable craft suited for extended operations on the water.
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| Cost |
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- Typically, more expensive to purchase due to its advanced features.
- Typically higher maintenance and repair costs.
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| Visibility |
- High visibility in the water, making it easier for swimmers to spot and signal for help.
- The standing position of the RWC Operator offers greater visibility.
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| Effectiveness in Large Surf Conditions |
- Ideal for high-speed rescues in ocean environments.
- RWCs are designed to operate efficiently in challenging surf conditions.
- Greater speed and acceleration allow the RWC to remain in the surf zone for longer periods of time than an IRB.
- The RWC is less likely to be affected by wind and is more stable when used by a solo Operator compared to an IRB.
- Good surf survivability and generally re-starts easily after being capsized.
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| Capsized Recovery |
- Can be righted and restarted after capsizing, ensuring continuous operation.
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