200 YEAR KNRM EIERLAND CLASS

[aukepalmhof]

On 14 October 1824, the ship 'De VREEDE ran aground off the coast of Den Helder. During the rescue attempt, ten crew members were saved, but three others and six rescuers drowned. The disaster was the reason for the establishment of two rescue societies, which eventually joined forces to form the Royal Netherlands Sea Rescue Society (KNRM). The foundation's goal is to save people and animals in distress at sea and in inland waters.
The life-threatening pioneering work began with rowing lifeboats and has grown into an organisation with 45 rescue stations along the Dutch coast, in Zeeland and the Wadden Islands.

Ten different KNRM stamps
Colored and uncoloured photographic images with a high level of recognition, which will undoubtedly appeal to a large audience. Both strips of stamps are connected in an appealing way

1) Rowing rescuers
Until 1895, rescues at the KNRM were carried out exclusively with the aid of rowing boats. The rowing boat is only indicated by oars as part of a larger part. Photographer Chef Kreuger (KNRM Image Archive).

2) Eierland class
In 1922 the first motorized lifeboat of this class became available. The Eierland class is named after the infamous Eierlandse Gronden north of Texel.
The photographer is unknown (Historical archive Museum Noordwijk).

There is not much structured information about this 'standard' lifeboat for coastal towns (without a harbour).

The type:
The Kurt Carlsen boat type is of Danish origin and dates from 1922. The type is called the “Eierland Class”. The first lifeboat of this type was stationed on Texel in the 1920s, where the 'infamous' Eierlandse Gronden apparently served as a suggestion for the type designation.
It is a motorized sloop and the successor to similar rowing lifeboats.
All subsequent boats of this type, which eventually numbered 12, were built by Taat in Katwijk, mainly from teak. A boat builder that no longer exists but still has descendants.

Propulsion and control:
In the Kurt Carlsen was a diesel engine, brand Perkins, type P6m. (six cylinder) of approx. 65 HP. This was replaced during the restoration by a 4 cylinder Perkins with the same properties. The engine cooling is indirect, via a heat exchanger that is built into the bottom, between the two keel beams.
The rudder is retractable and the propeller is built into a tunnel, so that it always remains clear of the bottom. The fuel tank is located in the forepeak under the foredeck. The capacity is approximately 160 liters.

Equipment (1953-1990):
During its operational time, from 1953 to 1990, improvements were made occasionally. A spray hood was installed for better protection against the elements. A radar reflector was placed on a short mast in the front cockpit. A VHF radio and a - now somewhat old-fashioned - radar installation were not missing.

Tractor:
The tractor is from the Caterpillar brand and bore the name Zeeurgel. The tractor is made watertight with exhaust and air intakes on top of the hood, with the intakes pointing downwards. The driver can sit up to his chest in water if necessary.[one_half]
Two tractors have been in used. The oldest, with a smaller engine, type D4, was put into use after some repairs and adjustments. The newer tractor, also type D4, came with the purchase of the boat. This was in such a bad state that it was taken away.

Design and construction method:
The boat is designed in combination with the launch or boat vehicle.
The keel surface is therefore completely straight (horizontal). The boat stands on a launch trolley on rollers and is pulled into the sea by the tractor during launching from the trolley using two launch lines, whereby part of the trolley tilts forward. An ingenious but labor-intensive whole, because for a launch alone on board at least 4 to 5 people are needed. Apart from the tractor driver and a few people for supervision on the beach.
The design requires that incoming seawater must drain away within a few seconds (approximately 12, we suspect) via 6 vertical discharge holes directly from deck to bottom and via four discharge valves on each side of the ship. However, the boat is not self-righting.
She is built clinker-jointed on teak trusses with copper-riveted teak corridors. The gunwale is also made of teak. The wale is wood made of pine, as is the finish around the discharge valves.
The fender band along both sides is made of foam covered with polyester cloth. (Formerly made of cork covered with linen). It serves as a buffer and to increase buoyancy. The fore and aft peaks and the benches in the cockpit are filled with foam. This makes the boat unsinkable.
Dimensions and weight:
Length overall: 10:30m
Width: 3.14m
Draft: 0.60m
Approx. 5,000 kg. without passengers.

Restoration state:
The KC has been restored to its original state of 1960 and has the status of a sailing monument. The name of the rescue company KNZHRM is therefore also indicated on both sides.

Launch vehicle:
The original standard launch vehicle, where Leer's name can still be found in various places, has also been completely restored. It is an ingenious construction that requires quite a bit of manpower during a launch on and next to the boat and especially good coordination between skipper, crew and tractor driver.
The tractor pushes the vehicle with the boat into the sea until sufficient depth is reached. Then, at the same time, the boat is tilted forward, the connections between the vehicle and the boat are released in four places and the tractor drives backwards and pulls the boat into the water via launch lines.
The tight attachment of the boat to the cart until the moment of launching is important to prevent a wave from lifting the boat and, for example, pushing it half off the cart.

https://www.kurtcarlsen.nl/cms/boot-informatie/ and the Netherland post. (google translated)
Netherland 2024 1 sg?, Scott?