Drying Container for sea rescue service

The Royal Netherlands Sea Rescue Institution (KNRM), the Dutch equivalent of the United States Coast Guard, has been running search and rescue operations at sea and other large bodies of water for 200 years. With 45 rescue stations, 1,500 volunteers and 75 rescue boats, KNRM is ready to save the day 24/7 – all year round and in any weather conditions. The KNRM Radio Medical Service (RMD) helps people at sea all around the world. ELA Container developed and delivered a container for drying the specialist kit (survival suits) worn by volunteers performing rescue missions on behalf of KNRM Terschelling.

The standard container size would not have been fit for purpose in this case, so KNRM specified the external measurements of 4 x 3.8 x 2.6 meters for its special steel container. Other features include floor paneling, stainless steel floor drainage and plenty of wall, floor and door insulation. Smooth galvanized metal sheets were used on the walls on the inside of the container. The ceiling is reinforced and special brackets have been provided so that the heavy survival suits can be safely hung up to dry. A 400 V/32 A supply had to be provided to power the drying technology.

It is ELA Container Engineering’s job to consider all the specific challenges and work with the client to find the best possible solution. “For this project, we had to make sure the survival suits would be able to dry and it was also important for us to use materials that would be weatherproof and resistant to salt water,” said Meinolf Topphoff from ELA. The paint, blue gray and ultramarine blue in color, also had to be selected carefully so that it could withstand the tough conditions in the North Sea.

The drying container was delivered on lorries with the use of a loading crane and the ferry connection between Harlingen and Terschelling. ELA teams were on hand to install the unit professionally and hand it over to KNRM when it was ready to use.

“Our new drying container has been developed and installed in line with our specific requirements,” said Jeroen Wooning, Relationship Manager & Fundraiser at KNRM. The technology installed in the container is designed to speed up proceedings in an emergency. “Our crews can now be on their way to the scene in five minutes instead of ten,” added Gert-Jan Wijker, Project Manager and Technical Director at KNRM IJmuiden.

Do you need more space? Then you can request a container now or get advice from your specialist consultant in your region!