The launch of the Lifeboat in Box in 2016 was the formative innovation of Atlantic Pacific, galvanising our original mission of providing lifeboats where there are none. Though we have since expanded our scope, this project is foundational to our work.
Through its development in Japan, we realised the combined life-saving potential of designing sea safety solutions like the Lifeboat in a Box, along with SAR training, water safety education, and community outreach.
Lifeboats where there are none
Lifeboat in a Box
A unique lifeboat station that empowers communities around the world who are vulnerable to drowning, flooding and natural disasters. The package provides a custom-built lifeboat station and purpose-built lifeboat, SAR training, and community outreach program, so that when the unthinkable strikes, a lifeboat and crew are strategically positioned to help rescue those in need.
The structure of the lifeboat station is a 40 foot shipping container. It includes a workshop and small changing room as well as housing the lifeboat; providing the essential facilities of a lifeboat station in one transportable and self-contained unit that can be delivered to any location in the world to operate immediately.
Every lifeboat station is specifically designed for the geographical location and the community that will receive it.
Shipping Container
Each boat is manufactured in Wales where our expert technicians design a boat that is fit for purpose for the region and water to which it will be deployed.
The Hahn Class boat, which was built for the Tsunami affected region of Japan, measures 4.8m from bow to stern, 1.8m wide and sits only 30cm deep in the water. The RIB’s v-shaped hull combines speed with the stability of the sponson, allowing it to operate with ease in the sizeable waves.
Bespoke Boat
Working with local communities, the Lifeboat in a Box comes with an intensive training programme on how to operate the boat and the station, as well as basic SAR training. Atlantic Pacific crew can operate the station for a period of time whilst local crew are recruited and trained.
Our instructors work with the identified local crew to progress their skills to eventually become trainers themselves.
Training Program
Whether concerning equipment or kit, the type of outreach or awareness raising needed, the project is always guided by the needs of the community and conditions. Never a prescriptive solution, always adaptive to the region in which it is placed.
Future-proofing and sustainability are front of mind; the station should not only be an immediate water rescue asset, but also be a seed for growth. We work with the receiving community on how to build and maintain rescue boats from locally sourced material, and how to train future rescue crews.
Adaptable Innovation
Awards & Recognition
50 NEW RADICALS
In September 2018 we were honoured to be selected as one of the ’50 New Radicals’ by The Observer, who teamed up with innovation charity NESTA to search for organisations who are actively changing their communities for the better across the UK.
Image ©: Richard Saker/The Observer
BRITISH CHAMBER OF COMMERCE JAPAN
We were delighted to be shortlisted in the 2022 British Business Awards for Responsible Business. We were equally thrilled to be previously shortlisted in 2018 for the British Business Awards for Social and Environmental Contributions.
Image ©: BCC. AP supporter Rika Beppu representing AP at the BBA in 2018.
POINTS OF LIGHT
In a letter to Robin, Prime Minister May said:
‘Through your concept of a “Lifeboat in a Box”, you have designed a pioneering model that will protect thousands of people living in coastal communities across the world. Your work bringing together British volunteers and local communities in the city of Kamaishi to lead the first ever community-run lifeboat service in Japan is a truly remarkable achievement.’
In December 2018, Atlantic Pacific Founder, Robin Jenkins, was awarded the Points of Light Award from the British Prime Minister, Theresa May.
Image: Robin accepting the award from Alun Cairns, Secretary of State for Wales.
Looking ahead with the Lifeboat in a Box
Developing the design of our next RIB, ‘Hahn Evolution,’ based on the three Hahn Class boats we have previously built;
Building on the original Lifeboat in a Box station in Japan by opening a Sea Safety Centre in Kamaishi;
Developing a space to mass produce boats in South Wales;
Scoping a further Lifeboat in the Box deployment to Maputo, Mozambique
Atlantic Pacific has big ambitions for the Lifeboat in a Box. We are currently exploring and working on:
