Equipment
| Hagglund 1 | Hagglund 2 | Water Craft | Landrovers | Truck | Communications | Medical & Specialist | PPE |
Hagglunds Bv 206 ATERV (All Terrain Emergency Rescue Vehicle)
The Bay Search and Rescue Team (formerly Bay Hovercraft Rescue) founded in 2001 was the first SAR Team in the U.K. to use a hovercraft as a front line rescue vehicle. Supported by two Argo all terrain buggies, it consistently proved its worth, being able to operate where conventional search and rescue craft could not travel.
In 2005 they were
replaced by a Hagglund Bv206
articulated tracked all terrain
vehicle.The Hagglund is a more
versatile vehicle for our type
of operations and allows us to
transport more personnel and
equipment than was previously
possible, as well as providing
a search 'platform' and enabling
us to rapidly and safely evacuate
casualties, including those on
stretchers, from the Bay into
the care of the Ambulance service.
The Hagglund was originally designed
for military use in snow (read
more)
but it was soon proven to be
as versatile in many other conditions
and as well as a personnel carrier
we have found it to be a unique
and powerful recovery vehicle
in hostile environments.
We operate two different variants
of Hagglund Bv 206:
Hagglund 1 - Personnel Carrier / Ambulance
Hagglund 2 - Load Carrier / Crane
Specifications
Manufacturer: Hagglunds Vehicle
AB
Seating capacity:
Hagglund 1
(front unit) 6 (rear unit) 12
Hagglund 2 (front unit) 6 (rear unit) n/a
Weight: (empty) 4,490 kg (loaded)
6,740 kg
Weight of front unit: (front
unit) 2,740 kg (rear unit) 1,730
kg
Max load: 2,250 kg (rear unit)
1,640 kg
Towed load: 2,500 kg
Length: 6.9 m Width: 1.87 m
Height: 2.4 m Ground clearance:
0.35 m
Track width: 620 mm
Max speed: (road) 52 km/h (water)
3 km/h
Max gradient: (hard surface)
45 degrees
Fording: amphibious
Range: (roads) 300 km
Engine: Mercedes-Benz OM 603.950
2.996 litre 6-cylinder diesel
developing 136 hp at 4,600 rpm
Gearbox: Daimler-Benz W4A-040
fully automatic with torque converter,
with 4 forward and 1 reverse gears
Transfer box: Hagglunds 2 speed
Steering: articulated hydrostatic
Turning radius: 8 m (6 m with
pitch control)
Electrical system: 24 V
Batteries: 2 x 12 V, 105 Ah
Military Service
More than 10,000 in military service in 16 countries. UK (600 for Army, Royal Marines and Royal Air Force) Brazil, Canada (100), Chile, China, Finland (400), France, Germany, Italy, Netherlands (200), Norway (2,200), Pakistan, Singapore (300), Spain, Sweden (4,500), and US Army (approximately 1,100). - back to top
History
In 1974, the Swedish Army ordered a new over-snow/all-terrain vehicle to succeed the Volvo Bv 202. After extensive trials, production began in 1981. The British Army purchased purchased Bv 206s to replace older Bv 202 vehicles then in service with the Army and Royal Marines. A further order for diesel-engined vehicles for the Royal Marines was placed in March 1990. The Bv 206 consists of two tracked units linked together with a steering unit. All four track assemblies are identical and interchangeable. The tracks are rubber with integral steel reinforcements. Steering is accomplished by changing the direction between the front and rear unit by two hydraulic cylinders, servo-controlled from a conventional steering wheel. The steering unit is designed to permit a large freedom of movement between the two bodies. The engine and transmission are mounted in the front unit. The bodies are made of Glass-Reinforced Plastic (GRP), which is fire resistant, with PVC foam insulation. Each body is a closed box with integrated roll-over protection. The Bv 206 is fully amphibious, being propelled in the water by its tracks. - back to top
Water Craft
We are about to start operational trials of our specially developed SAR airboat in 2010. These are extensively used by US Coastguard and SAR teams, and proved themselves in the evacuation of New Orleans during Hurricane Katrina.
We also
have a Zodiac inflatable rescue
boat, and carry
a selection of 5m and 10m inflatable
rescue paths and inflatable
water rescue stretchers on
our Hagglunds and Landrovers
which are specifically setup
with quicksand rescue equipment
as a fast response vehicles.
We use compressed air from
BA sets for fast inflation
of the rescue paths.
Landrover
4x4 Ambulances
For general use as well as rapid transportation of personnel and their PPE further afield we have two Landrover 110 4x4s. These are also used as ambulances if casualties require evacuation from an off road situation where the Hagglund is not required. They carry all the ropes, pulleys, throwlines and PPE equipment that our Swift Water Rescue Technicians require for river and flood operations. They also carry specific equipment for quicksand rescue and are fitted with marine VHF radio, mobile phone and Satnav. One is based at the station at Flookburgh, the other at Milnthorpe to cover the East side of the Bay Area.
Mercedes Crew Cab Recovery Truck
We use this as a means of deploying our team inland as part of our role as an All Terrain Rescue Unit for Cumbria Fire and Rescue. The 21ft tilt/slide bed allows us to easily and quickly load a Hagglund ATERV and with seating for 6 in the crew cab we can get our team, vehicle and full kit quickly to any incidents in the Lake District or North Lancs areas. It is also an deal vehicle for transporting our airboat.
Communications
Radios - The team is predominantly responsible and needs to be in contact at all times with the Maritime and Coastguard Agency (what used be known as HM Coastguard) and operates Marine VHF licensed frequency radios. These are either waterproof handheld iCom radios used when away from our vehicles, or more powerful fixed iCom radios in the vehicles and at our Headquarters. As well as maritime and emergency channels the team has a license to also operate a secure channel for operational team communications. The latest radios were purchased with a grant from O2 and their itsyourcommunity scheme.
GPS - The team uses handheld Garmin GPS receivers or Active10 Satmaps (with OS map infomation) for on foot use, and bigger Garmin GPS units in the vehicles. We also operate a GIS (Geographical Information System) with support from a major UK software developer ESRI and PC based OS mapping software. This consists of a waterproof Panasonic Toughbook PC used in our Hagglund or on our airboat which contains various scales of Ordnance Survey maps, which as well as being a super detailed satnav system also allows us to actually input data onto the maps, such as danger areas in the bay, main river channels etc which are not fixed geographical objects. - back to top
Medical
& Specialist Equipment
Medical - We carry a range of medical equipment on our vehicles. These include comprehensive first aid kits, resucitation equipment and different types of stretchers.
Specialist - our operating area presents a number of challenges and we carry equipment specifically for certain types of incidents. These include inflatable rescue boats, 5 and 10 metre inflatable working platform/walkways which can be deployed quickly when inflated with compressed air and provide a stable and safe base to work from on mud, quicksand and water. The 5m paths can also be paddled as rescue boats. We have a purpose designed water rescue stretcher which floats and provides protection for casulaties in extreme weather during water rescues. Other equipment includes; nightvision viewers for searches in the dark, heavy duty searchlights, mud boards, vehicle and heavy recovery equipment and bolt cutters. - back to top
PPE
- Personal Protective Equipment
Personal safety is vital at all times if we are to be able to operate effectively and professionally. All team members are issued with appropriate PPE for the operation undertaken. This includes: drysuits for working in water, breathable waterproof clothing for foul weather conditions, hi-visability overalls and jackets for general work, fleece underlayers, safety boots for work on sands, neoprene gloves, PFDs (Personal Flotation devices) commonly called buoyancy aids fitted with quick release harnesses and rescue knives for river and shoreline work, gas inflation life jackets for offshore and deep water use, personal first aid kits, safety helmets, torches and head torches, cylumes (glowsticks), throwbags, Balcan long distance throwlines, handheld GPS, handheld SatMaps, handheld VHF radios and night vision equipment. - back to top
Can
you help with a donation to purchase
items of equipment?
We are often asked if
there are specific items of equipment
the team needs, as many people
wish to make a donation and prefer
to buy an item rather than just
make a non-specific donation.
So we have compiled a list - click
here for details.
These are either items we do not yet have, replacements
for worn out equipment or kit for new team members.
