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Capabilities

Vessel Features

HELPR-1 carries 44 crew and deployment members comfortably, with capacity for up to 52 during emergency deployments. The 14-person marine crew includes two highly experienced international mariners and 12 Ni-Vanuatu crew members.

  • Extended fuel tanks holding a total of 32,000L diesel and a 1,250 nautical mile/2,300 kilometre range.
  • Desalination plant producing over 15,000L of fresh water daily, with freshwater tanks holding 26,000L.
  • Accommodation for 14 marine crew and up to 35-38 passengers (52 beds).
  • Full galley with the ability to feed over 70 people per day for 2 weeks.
  • 3 tender crafts including:
    • A large 9.5 metre tender with direct access loading and capacity for 27 passengers and at least 1,500kg of cargo.
    • 1 x 4m rigid inflatable and a 5 metres aluminium boat for small mobile team transfers
  • Full bridge capacity and 24-hour watch/operational capability, compliant with all Vanuatu and equivalent international safety standards.

Medical & Clinical Support Capabilities

HELPR-1 is a unique multi-use response vessel, flagged in Vanuatu. While its design enables emergency response, its true value lies in its day-to-day support of delivering full-time outreach partnership programs by providing operational, logistical, and healthcare expertise.

  • State-of-the-art trauma and stabilisation medical room with intensive care level care capacity for up to two patients.
  • Large medication and medical/pharmacy storage area (which can be converted to a patient care area when required).
  • Inbuilt vaccine fridges with hard-wired alarms and additional mobile cold-chain units.
  • Onboard GenXpert machines for on-the-spot diagnostics (up to 8 cartridges at once).
  • Rapid response equipment to support retrieval and response teams.
  • Shelters and furniture to manage over 300 outpatients daily in up to 3 different locations concurrently.
  • Large capacity oxygen concentrator and compressor to refill oxygen bottles for remote clinics without the need to wait for resupply from Port Vila or Luganville.

Disaster & Emergency Response Capabilities

HELPR-1’s onboard medical, communications, and equipment capabilities coupled with Respond Global’s extensive in-field and operational experience in disaster response are 100% unique in the Pacific.

  • Rapid transport of local teams to the area of impact, offering safe accommodation, support, and base of operations.
  • Heavy lift capability for rapid response caches of equipment.
  • Debris removal equipment including chainsaws, PPE, concrete cutters, and trained operators.
  • The vessel is capable of fulfilling the role of an on-scene coordination platform in support of the national and local response leads.
  • Shallow draft, maneuverability, and ability to safely load teams and equipment to shore landing craft are unique.
  • Tasking is by the National and Provincial Emergency Authorities in consultation with relevant Ministries and after an operational and safety assessment by Respond Global and the HELPR-1 Captain.

Operational Platform Capabilities

With HELPR-1’s unique logistics platform, critical personnel, supplies, and debris clearance teams can rapidly deploy within hours of an event. With the support of the vessel, these teams are fully self-sufficient and carry additional capacities to support local infrastructure such as oxygen, and clinical and pharmaceutical supplies.

  • HELPR-1 can act as an EOC/HEOC when required, with dedicated rooms available for this purpose.
  • Storage onboard for extra supplies in two purpose-built storage rooms, 3 outside cages, and room for extra loading on fore and aft decks.
  • Three lounge areas, including audio-visual equipment for teaching.
  • Internet and satellite communications for passengers and responders (as well as marine VHF, HF and satellite and Starlink systems).
  • 24 handheld VHF radios for use by marine and shore-based response teams, plus 3 satellite phones and personnel locater beacons.
  • Administration office and support onboard.
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