The boat manufacturer Highfield Boats has established its own division for the professional market, called Highfield PRT. PRT stands for Patrol, Rescue and Tactical – that is, patrol, rescue and tactical operations. The new division serves public authorities, emergency services, the police, the coastguard and military units. Company founder Julien Carussi takes the helm as CEO. Stefanie Sun is moving from her role as Supply Chain Director at Highfield Boats to become Operations Manager at Highfield PRT. According to Carussi, Highfield has been supplying boats to professional users for several years now. Demand has grown steadily, which is why the company is now establishing a dedicated structure.
Three product ranges for different applications
The range is divided into three series. The VIPER range comprises lightweight inflatable boats from 3.8 to 5.8 metres in length. The RAPTOR series consists of RIBs (Rigid Inflatable Boats) ranging from 6.6 to 8.7 metres. The SENTINEL range offers D-Tube RIBs from 6 to 11 metres. ‘D-Tube’ refers to a D-shaped inflatable tube that can be filled with either air or foam. Each series is designed for specific applications and differs in construction and equipment.
VIPER for rapid deployment
The VIPER boats are designed for situations where rapid mobility is essential. The four models – the VPR380, VPR420, VPR470 and VPR580 – can be inflated in the field and transported by vehicle or aircraft. The smallest model measures 3.8 metres, whilst the largest measures 5.8 metres. According to the manufacturer, the boats offer a high payload capacity despite their small size. Their shallow draught allows them to land on beaches. The equipment can be adapted for military or civilian rescue operations. The boats are aimed at units that need to operate rapidly in changing locations.
RAPTOR for patrol and rescue
The RAPTOR series is designed for coastguards, water police and rescue services. The three models – the RPT660, RPT760 and RPT860 – measure 6.6, 7.6 and 8.6 metres respectively. According to Highfield, the aluminium hulls are designed to withstand even rough waters. Typical operations include maritime patrols, sea rescue, boarding operations and fisheries enforcement. The boats can be carried as tenders on larger vessels. The design combines a rigid hull with inflatable side tubes, which is intended to increase stability and buoyancy.
SENTINEL for complex missions
The SENTINEL range comprises five models: SNT600, SNT660, SNT760, SNT900 and SNT1100. Their lengths range from 6 to 11 metres. These boats utilise D-shaped inflatable hulls, which can be filled with either air or closed-cell foam. The foam filling makes the boats unsinkable, even if the hull is damaged. The large deck area provides space for personnel and equipment. Areas of application include military interventions, diver support, troop transport, offshore patrols and coastguard duties. According to the manufacturer, the boats can be adapted to various mission profiles.
Service and customisation
According to the company, Highfield PRT sees itself not merely as a boat manufacturer, but as a solutions provider. Stefanie Sun explains that the company supplies integrated systems for maritime operations. This includes advice on model selection, bespoke customisation, technical support, training, spare parts and after-sales service throughout the entire service life of the vessels. The boats are configured to the customer’s specifications. Interested partners and distributors can get in touch at info@highfieldprt.com. The company is actively seeking new distributors for the PRT range.
Jan-Ole Puls
Editor Test & Technology
