You can see water trails on the slip. These are from the twin out-boards on the RIB. The engines are fed from a tank on the trailer with cooling water so that they can be started on the way to the slip so when they hit the water they can go at full throttle as soon as possible.
The Lifeboat and Coastguard services of the UK are often forgotten when thinking of emergency service vehicles. Above is the off-shore lifeboat based at Amble marina, Northumberland. Note the blue light near the top of the mast.It is 44-005 Margaret Graham, a Waveney class lifeboats which was introduced in 1964. This boat was the last Waveney class lifeboat in service with the RNLI. This type was withdrawn in 1999, and replaced by Severn and Trent class lifeboats but in Ambles case they received a Mersey class lifeboat.
Here is an strange tractor unit spotted at Seahouses. Fitted with blue lights, it is used to launch and recover the carriage launched 12m Mersey class lifeboat that is operated at 24 stations nationwide. These tractors are specifically designed for the task of launching and recovering lifeboats. They weight over 19 tons and can pull over 16 tons but in reality it could pull a lot more than this. They are powered by a Caterpillar diesel engine at over 200hp but only have a top speed of about 10mph!
Next, a picture of a 17m Severn class all weather lifeboat, number 17-20 which is stationed at Tynemouth lifeboat station. This type came into service in 1996 and this particular boat went on station at Tynemouth in October 1999.
Here is a lifeboat called Bon Accord, also known as “Aberdeen Lifeboat”.
Here are two pictures of a Sea King helicopter with a RNLI offshore and an inshore lifeboat on exercise.
R803 NCU This Ford Transit is a IRC rescue vehicle. It is fitted with amber flashing lights and a simple livery. It is parked up next to a IRC pop-up tent.
SN05 AHK This IRC rescue ambulance is based at Grangemouth, Scotland. It is an Iveco Daily with red and blue checker markings. It can accommodate up to eight people and carries medical equipment.
The rear view. Notice the blue light repeaters at the tops of the doors as the main light bar is at the front of the roof. As a sideline, this vehicle provides medical cover at Land Rover’s test course at Perth.
This is an example of a 2007 Mitsubishi Shogun decked out in HATO colours.
WU53 JCJ is a Mitsibushi Shogun HATO patrol car. It carries the usual black and yellow battenburg markings and amber flashing lights all-round, plus red to the rear only. Shown next to the car is the type of equipment carried to divert traffic. You can also see the HATO’s high-visibility jacket which is yellow on the lower half, orange on the upper half with blue epaulettes.
Another shot of the same car with out the signage around it.
EU04 BYA This is an example of the Range Rovers used by the Highways Agency.
BU05 FMF is a Toyota Land Cruiser used by the traffic officers of the Highways Agency. The vehicle has a striking luminous yellow and black battenburg scheme on top of silver paint work. It carries a slim-line clear light bar on the roof, making it appear very much like a police vehicle from the front.
The rear windows of the vehicle carry the wording ‘TRAFFIC OFFICER’ to alert other motorists to its use.
In the rear of the 4×4, we can see some of the equipment it carries. This includes: cones, tape, fire blankets, emergency signage and water amongst other items.
With the rear door shut, we can see the dot matrix display in the rear window to give messages to other motorists. However, the spare wheel has had to be removed in order for it to be read clearly.
This Nissan Pathfinder is also used by the Highways Agency. Like the Toyota above, it carries reverse wording on its bonnet to denote its use.
This example does not carry the Traffic Officer wording in the rear side windows, but does have a drop-down dot matrix display (operated from the dashboard). It is equipped with the same light bar and additional rear bumper lights as well as a tow hook.
RF03 LFU This Honda ST1100 motorbike can be used by the HA for patrolling and escorting duties. It is in orange and white checker markings, and has amber flashing lights on the front and on a pole at the rear.
The rear and nearside view. Additional red flashing lights have been fitted, along with amber LED lights and a matrix sign. It has dual panniers and a top box to carry some equipment.
This HA Honda motorbike is one of a pair that are decked out with pink and blue squares. Notice that it has panniers and a top box for equipment, but the fire extinguisher is mounted in front of the box. Amber flashing lights are fitted to the front and on the top of the box. It has HA logos on all sides, and is operated on behalf of the HA by CF Motoring Services Ltd. to rescue stranded motorists and hence reduce congestion.
KR03 UXC This yellow Ford Transit is a Highways Agency ‘Incident Support Unit’. It is liveried with orange and yellow diagonal stripes down the sides and traditional chevrons on the rear. It also has two amber lighbars.
WP53 ZTL is a Mitsubishi Shogun operated by The Highways Agency. Although not an emergency vehicle, it is used to patrol major roads. The crew do not have the same rights as traffic police, but are able to direct traffic in the event of an incident.
From this view you can see how the livery differs from an emergency vehicle. We have yellow and black battenburg markings and orange and red flashing lights on the roof bar.
This vessel is Lambeth, a 13.5m catamaran that is used by the Port of London Authority. New in Summer 2009, it is the first of four new vessels for the authority, each of which is named after a London bridge.
This yellow and white jet ski has yellow and green checkers up the sides as well as a blue strobing beacon mounted on the front. It was spotted in Portsmouth harbour and is used by the Queen’s Harbour Master volunteer harbour patrol there.
This is a Harbour Master vessel called Westbourne. It is operated by the Port of London Authority on the River Thames. Notice the twin blue lights on the roof of the cabin.
Ravensbourne II is another Port of London Authority craft.
This is a Harbour Master survey vessel. It has striking yellow striping on the port and starboard bow and a blue flashing light at the top of the mast. It was spotted on the River Ouse in York.
This German registered Hagglunds BV206 has been modified by Hellgeth and is fitted with a Mercedes diesel engine. It is not known which emergency service this advanced all terrain vehicle is used by.
This French registered Fiat based demosntrator ambulance has been created by the European coachbuilder Gruau and wears the companies distinctive logo on its sides.
This German Mercedes fire truck was spotted in London in 2008. The writing on the side indicates it was used by “International Firefighters” (translated from German and French).
This 2005 BMW 3 series is operated by the Feuerwehr, the German equivalent of the fire service. Unlike most UK vehicles, it features a massive and very un-aerodynamic roof mounted light bar.
Another 2005 BMW 3 Series, except this time the touring version. Although it carries blue lights, there is no indication to which emergency service operates it.
The rear view of this compact estate car in Swiss police livery.
This is an Irish-registered Mercedes Vario van which is in active service by the HSE-Mid West Ambulance Service (equivalent of the UK’s NHS). It is used as an ambulance mobile control unit and was in the UK as part of a display of new ambulances.
This is Dutch police officer Tommy Hamelink from the Politie Haaglanden. He has with him his own police cycle which is fitted with blue flashing lights and has the unusual ability to fold in half for transporting. On patrol in the Netherlands, he uses a rigid bike.
Here again is a dutch police officer taking part in a cycle training course in England.
These two German Polizei BMW motorbikes were spotted in York in 2005. The officers are wearing green clothing with Polizei wording. The bikes have blue lights to the front, and a rotating blue light on a telescopic pole that can be seen from the rear.
The rear view of one of the German bikes. They have a small matrix sign on the rear and the panniers and bodywork are in the traditional green and white colours. They look like they are heavy laden as they travel through England to the Isle of Man. They attend the TT Races each year to help the Isle of Man Police deal with any Germans they may come across.
This Ford Transit ambulance had a very basic livery and two blue flashing lights on the roof. It is a Belgian army ambulance that was spotted in England.
Although not a UK emergency vehicle, this 2004 BMW 5 Series was photographed in the UK an is operated by the German Polizei. It seems unbelievable hat the car can travel at speed with the large un-aerodynamic light bar on the roof.
Here we have a Hyundai ambulance from the Irish Republic. Note the personalised number plate and the roof rack mounted cluster of blue lights.
This Dutch fire engine was seen in the UK as it was travelling across the country before going on to Northern Ireland. It was in convoy with the vehicle below.
The second vehicle is a fire engine and crash truck from the Dutch air force.
This Porsche Cayenne Turbo is used as an emergency medical support vehicle for the British Touring Cars Championship. It is seen following the cars on the first lap when the chance of accidents is greatest. It also caries out this role in all of the support races.
The rear view. A doctor, a surgeon and a paramedic are driven by an experienced racing driver. In previous years, this car was fitted with green flashing lights, but since 2009 has had blue lights fitted for use on-track.
NL09 DTF This silver Skoda Fabia is used by the Northern Doctors Urgent Care service. It is used to provide out of hours GP coverage in the North East of England.
The rear view, showing the full-width green light bar.
FY58 WWR This is a minimally liveried Nissan X-trail that is used by BASICS doctors and nurses.
BJ07 MVS This is a Subaru Forester that is used by Hampshire BASICS doctors. It is carrying “Trauma Team” wording on the bonnet and is fitted with a half-width light bar.
AY55 WCK This is an emergency doctor’s car supplied by Ipswich Toyota. It is a silver Toyota RAV4. Notice the small piece of green and yellow striping added to the front wings and the racy bonnet air scoop.
RJ58 KTL This is a red Honda Civic that is used as a doctor car in support of the Tour of Britain cycle race. The sign on the windscreen says ‘race doctor’. It is fitted with a magnetically mounted green rotating beacon on the roof and various race sponsors down the sides.
The rear view of the Civic.
WU55 NDX This photograph shows a Renault Megane estate decked out in doctors colours. The bonnet has had a large yellow graphic added to increase the cars conspicuity and a green light bar has been fitted to the roof rails.
YK57 CYX is a Honda CR-V that is used by Hull PCT out-of-hours doctor service.
In this photograph we can see a London HEMS doctor riding a St. John Ambulance cycle as part of a demonstration.
EA08 TLZ This Skoda Octavia vrs is a 2008 addition to London HEMS’s fleet. It is the first vehicle to carry prominent advertising for sponsor Saints Transport. It is fitted with a blue/green roof light bar, dashboard flasher unit and leds behind the grille.
The rear view of the Skoda. “Not in use” signs can be seen as the vehicle awaits being made operational.
ET06 VGE A London HEMS doctor and paramedic return to their car in Hyde Park after a training session.
FH55 OWJ is a VW Sharan TDI which is also operated by BrisDoc which operates within the South of Bristol.
The rear view of the VW Sharan MPV.
WV54 TUJ is a Peugeot 307 HDI estate operated by BrisDoc (Bristol doctors on call) out of hours service. It is decked out with ambulance-style green and yellow battenburg markings and a yellow bonnet. A full-width green light bar is also attached to the roof rails.
The rear view of the same car.
L700 SPS An overhead view of one of the HEMS Skoda Octavia’s. Notice the ‘H05’ roof markings, enabling the vehicle to be easily identified from above.