In 1997, a family living by the river, François Lachance and his sons, designed a boat capable of dealing with all ice and current conditions during rescues on ice. They named this boat UMA 17: «UMA» for «Hope» in Inuktitut and «17» for its length, in feet.
This boat combines lightness, strength, buoyancy, safety, and maneuverability and can be used in all seasons. It also obtained Transport Canada's very first ice lifeboat certification.
Made from state-of-the-art composite materials and epoxy, it measures 5.2 m (17ft) by 1.8m (6ft). Its hull is 0.7m (2.4ft) and it weighs, when empty, less than 136 kg (300 lb). Its draft is 10.16 cm (4in) and it is equipped with a two-stroke outboard motor of 40HP maximum. Its maximum capacity is 647 kg (1427 lb), or 5 persons.
The UMA17 is the rescue boat awaited by all public and naval security services to rapidly and securely execute rescue missions in icy winter conditions.
It is currently adopted and deployed by the Canadian Coast Guard, Montreal Fire and Security Department, and numerous other emergency services.
Inspired by competitive ice canoes, the UMA17 was conceived by a family that has faced the Saint-Lawrence River for many generations. Tested in extreme conditions and approved by Transport Canada, the UMA17 is the fastest rescue ice boat and is ready for its final mission: saving lives.
Its robustness allows it to securely face ice and reefs for many years. Its maneuverability and lightness assure precise and fast navigation. Its versatility and navigation qualities in free or icy water make it usable all year round.
