In a first step, the Navy will receive 22 Gecko rescue boats from the manufacturer Zodiac Milpro. The efficient and flexible rescue boats are primarily intended for the rescue of people. However, they are also used for the transport of people and/or materials as well as for boarding.
Depending on the role, the boats can be customized. If, for example, more space is required on board to transport materials, six of the eight seats can be removed or flexibly installed using a rail system. Another twelve Geckos for the corvette K 130 are also under contract.
The users of the boats are the seagoing units and the training organization. Equipping all users with uniform boats significantly reduces the current variety of products and saves costs in procurement, supply and logistics in the future. The standardization has two other advantages: on the one hand, fewer tests and inspections of different systems or new boats will have to take place in the future. On the other hand, the training effort is reduced, since the personnel on the most diverse units of the Navy find and can use the same life-saving equipment.
The training on the new boats has already started and, in addition to the function and operation of the boat, also deals with care, maintenance and repairs as well as safe driving operation.
Parallel to the new boats, their launching device (ASV) on the class 404 tenders was also redesigned in an independent project.
The new ASV will initially be installed on the Elbe tender, which is scheduled to leave the shipyard in the spring. The other five Tender 404 will be provided with it in the coming shipyard layovers. In order to benefit from the advantages of reducing the variety of products here as well, this system will be used on the second lot of the Corvette 130. Single-point suspension, heave tracking device and low-sway load suspension will bring advantages, especially in sea rescue.
| Specifications Gecko | |
| Length Width | 7.50m / 2.77m |
| maximum launch weight | 3.8 t |
| drive | 215 kW Steyr diesel engine (type: SE306J38), Hamilton jet drive |
| speed | up to 36 knots (approx. 67 km/h) |
| maximum payload | 1300 kg |
| seating | 8 shock-absorbing, for passenger transport; another 4 on the tube fender |
| Guidance/Reconnaissance | 4G radar, chartplotter, intercom with speakerphone and headset, electronic chart |
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