At RIBCRAFT, our success in building quality professional grade RIBs is a direct result of our fantastic employees. Since beginning our U.S. operations in 2001, we've experienced significant growth - developing into one of the leading manufacturers of rigid inflatable boats in North America and the entire Globe for that matter. Our meteoric rise is a direct result of great people.

As we continue to strive to deliver the best RIBs and service available, we are always searching for talented and motivated people to join our team. Currently, we're looking for people who want to be part of our exciting and growing company as members of our sales, accounting/ finance department, and production teams.

If you harbor a desire to join an energetic growing company in the only expanding segment of the marine industry that is committed to delivering the best, then send an email with your resume to jobs@ribcraftusa.com.

And to our current employees - Thank you!

Posted by ribcraftusa at 11:00 AM | Permalink | Comments (3)

Military Special Forces were among the earliest adopters of RIBs. The reason, quite simply, is safety, performance, and versatility.

First and foremost, a RIB is ideal for keeping the crew safe while en route to their intended destination. For many Special Forces and tactical teams, a RIB is used as a means of deployment to a land or water based target. They rely on speed for the element of surprise and to insure mission success. While at speed, the crew and members of the tactical team can be subject to severe impacts and harsh elements for long periods of time. A RIB, with its deep V hull and inflatable tube, mitigates that by providing a far smoother and dryer ride than hard sided vessels. A less bruised and battered group of Special Forces is far more capable to perform at the top of their game when they reach their destination.

Tactical forces require an open light weight high speed platform that provides the utmost in sea keeping abilities, maneuverability, and responsiveness. They need a boat whose performance is not only reliable, but predictable. Many tactical forces use their boats to deliver boarding parties to larger vessels – a RIB's maneuverability and inflatable tube is essential for these operations as they come alongside their targets. With the tube a RIB is generally more immune to damage from low speed collisions.

These days with the increased threat to Homeland Security, it's no longer just the military that have Special Forces. Law Enforcement Agencies, both at the state and local level have seen their responsibility grow to include more maritime interdiction and anti-terrorism missions. Even U.S. companies that have manufacturing facilities on larger bodies of water overseas, be they factories or oil platforms, are providing tactical security forces to patrol and protect their interests. Like the early adopters, these organizations rely on the safety, performance, and versatility of a RIB.

Posted by ribcraftusa at 11:53 AM | Permalink | Comments (1)

Fire departments must always work to meet the many needs of the people they protect. For some, water rescue and the ability to respond to water related accidents are among these. You might be amazed to learn as I was, that in some cities and towns water related incidents outnumber fire-related injuries and fatalities.

You don't need to be located on the ocean to justify or require a fire/rescue boat. Many landlocked towns are using boats on reservoirs, rivers, and lakes. If a town has a marina, homes tightly nestled along the water's edge, thousands of recreational boaters and swimmers be they on a lake, ocean, or reservoir a rescue boat is essential to respond to the inevitable accidents.

Beyond the expected rescue responses, a rescue boat also provides departments with access to remote locations that aren't accessible by land – be it an island or remote wooded area located on a large lake or along the ocean. A proper rescue craft can also assist stranded watercraft, contain hazmat spills and search for drowning victims.

In speaking with fire department and rescue experts, a major criteria for a rescue craft is that it must provide a stable working platform capable of handling a wide variety of emergency situations. A rescue boat should be able to carry a crew of two to five personnel plus their equipment as well as any potential victims. There should be enough open deck space to carry victims on backboards or to be able to administer medical care while on the water. A boat that can only carry one person like a Jet Ski or SeaDoo is useless and not effective for rescues. In addition to stability, a boat must be easy to maneuver in tight locations or in conditions with high winds, rapid flowing water, or in heavy seas. Additionally, it is recommended that the boat is equipped with enough power to provide a cruising speed of 25 to 50 mph.

When considering a new rescue boat, it's important to consider what needs the boat must meet. Does it need to be deployed for each use or moored in the water? Will it be for fire suppression or for search and rescue applications? Who will be using it – trained dive teams or the town's lifeguards?

Most important however is to remember that a fire/ rescue boat is first and foremost a workboat and the boat you decide to purchase should be specified and built as such. Though your local boat dealer may sell a popular brand that's "perfect" for your family's boating activities, it's most likely not going to be up to the challenges your department faces. You need a boat that can withstand the most severe conditions.

The best way to find out what boats are the best for your department is to ask departments that already own them.

Posted by ribcraftusa at 01:43 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)