Radical New Zodiac MILPRO Boat Marks New Phase In RIB Evolution

PARIS - June 27, 2013 - PRLog -- The new SRA-750 (SeaRIB™ Aluminium) is being launched at the Seawork exhibition in Southampton, UK, where visitors will be able to see a new landmark in the evolution of the modern RIB. The Seawork exhibition will be celebrating 50 years since the introduction of the RIB so Zodiac MILPRO’s new boat is expected to have a major impact at the show by presenting the next step in the evolution of this essential craft. Zodiac MILPRO boats are already well known for their strength and dependability and the SRA 750 is now about to move these capabilities up a notch with a design aimed at offering even greater capabilities in the worst conditions.

   The new design features an exceptionally strong aluminium hull with sides that are higher than those typical of Zodiac MILPRO RIBs. The hull is enclosed by a new D-shaped inflatable collar that provides the benefits of more usable deck space while retaining the buoyancy and handling characteristics demanded by RIB users. Because the flat side of the D is reinforced by direct contact with the surface of the aluminium hull the collar is stronger and more secure in extreme conditions than a conventional round tube.

   The SRA 750 nevertheless retains the option of being fitted with a standard round tube which can be attached quickly and easily. The design of the collar attachment system also benefits from the extensive experience gained by Zodiac MILPRO from supplying RIBs that have been used in the world’s most demanding sea conditions. A Zodiac Hurricane® boat was the first RIB to complete the North West Passage around the Canadian Arctic where it experienced the most extreme sea conditions likely to be faced by any 11-metre craft. The Canadian Coastguard is benefiting from the design expertise gained by the company and now uses Zodiac MILPRO boats on a daily basis.

   The new SRA-750 has already received significant enquiries from potential customers. These have been especially positive from organisations based in temperate and higher latitudes where the new boat’s strength and performance make it an attractive option for year-round work.

   Available with a choice of inboard or twin outboard engines, Zodiac MILPRO is expecting the SRA-750 to prove especially attractive to civil authorities, rescue services and to the offshore energy sector. These will all benefit from new design features that include integrated deck tracks that enable the boat to be quickly and easily reconfigured. Seating can be added or moved to accommodate additional loads or to increase shelter for passengers when operating at speed in extreme sea conditions. The strength of the aluminium deck also permits the speedy mounting of heavy automatic weapons if required for specific missions.

   When the boat is fitted with a D-tube rescue services are also likely to be attracted by a diver door that provides access through the side of the hull.  When a round collar is fitted this is substituted by a rapid access door yet both represent a significant new design feature for the Zodiac MILPRO product range.
                        The new boat includes all of the features that users have come to expect from Zodiac MILPRO. Self-draining deck, two built-in fuel tanks, integrated fuel and electrical lines and capacious storage are all included as is the use of Zodiac MILPRO’s own uniquely tough hypalon and neoprene fabric.
The SRA-750 is the first new boat to come from Zodiac MILPRO following its acquisition by Oaktree Capital Management in February this year. It confirms the expectations of company chief executive Marc Lavorata who predicted that the new ownership would benefit customers with more support for innovative new products.

   “Zodiac MILPRO is a very inspiring company to work for today because our designers and engineers now have the encouragement and resources to innovate and bring new ideas to market” he said.  “The SRA-750 is what we expect to be the first of a new breed of RIBs and inflatables that will make an impact upon world markets”.

   “This sense of innovation is also extending beyond our products to include our manufacturing techniques which we are developing to benefit our customers with unmatched quality and faster delivery times.  Our global network of nearly 200 distributors and our factories and sales offices in Europe, the USA, Canada and Australia are all being buoyed-up by this can-do spirit but it is our customers who will ultimately reap the rewards,” said Marc Lavorata.

   Zodiac MILPRO has a product range of more than 60 different inflatable and semi-rigid craft that it supplies to professional users such as police, coast guard, special forces, anti-terrorism units, fire teams, the offshore industry and other military users. Zodiac MILPRO is headquartered in Paris and its product range also includes high performance Zodiac HURRICANE ® RIBs that are manufactured by the company’s North American arm.  Zodiac MILPRO boats can be supplied as standard or custom products that range from 4.7m to 12m long. They are available in inflatable and rigid inflatable configurations that include aluminium or fibreglass hulls, inflatable or foam tubes, diesel inboard or petrol outboard engines and a variety of cabin accommodation designs.
For more information visit:  www.zodiacmilpro.com.
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Commercial enquiries contact:
David Cazalot
Zodiac Milpro International
32 bis boulevard Haussmann, 75009, Paris, France
Tel + 33 1 82 73 02 70  
david.cazalot@zodiacmilpro.com
Web site  www.zodiacmilpro.com