Equipment

IN AN EMERGENCY
DIAL 999 and ASK FOR:

The Coastguard (sea or shoreline) or the Police (land). Or Team direct callout: 015395 58771

2 x Hagglunds Bv 206 ATERVs
(All Terrain Emergency Rescue Vehicles)

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). -

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 part way through operational trials of our specially developed SAR airboat. These are extensively used by US Coastguard and SAR teams, and proved themselves in the evacuation of New Orleans during Hurricane Katrina. An airboat has no moving parts on or below the water level so can operate in 1" of water or even dry ground. The Bay where we operate can be too shallow for boats to operate even when the tide is in.

We also have an Avon ERB400PRO inflatable Rescue with a 30hp Mariner 2-stroke outboard, a 3.8m Zodiac inflatable rescue boat, and carry a selection of 3m and 10m inflatable rescue paths and a specialist inflatable water rescue stretcher 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 on an emergency and high speed electric inflators from the vehicles during exercises.

Landrover 4x4 Ambulances

For general use as well as rapid transportation of personnel and their PPE further afield we have two Landrover 4x4s; a 110 and a hi capacity 130. 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 Lancashire 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.

GPS - The team uses handheld Garmin GPS receivers, Active10 Satmaps and MemoryMap handheld GPS (both with with OS map infomation) for on foot use, and MemoryMap Adventurer S7000 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, 3 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 3m 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; thermal imaging camera, nightvision viewers for searches in the dark, heavy duty LED 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

SAR Drysuit 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.