MRB Book: Les vedettes de la SNSM (The "SNSM" SAR Boats)

Book "The Essentials of MRB": The "SNSM" SAR Boats

The book *Les vedettes de la SNSM* immerses you in the world of sea rescuers and their iconic vessels, exploring their history, characteristics, and scale models.

This new, significantly expanded edition features numerous plans, documents, and photographs of both the actual SNSM vessels and their miniature replicas. From all-weather lifeboats to the various generations of patrol boats, the articles combine documentation, station histories, technical specifications, and building tips for modelers.

Contents:

History
From the first rescue organizations of the 19th century to the founding of the SNSM in 1967: discover the evolution of rescuers, stations, and their vessels, from rowboats to modern self-righting units.

“Côte d’Amour” Class 2 Patrol Boat
A closer look at the Pornichet patrol boat, a 10.50-meter Light Rapid Response Vessel that is particularly maneuverable. Based on measurements of the original, the technical specifications and construction of a detailed model reveal all its secrets.

Second-Class Patrol Boat “Nouvelle Génération”
Fast and highly maneuverable 9-meter patrol boats, propelled by water jets or propellers depending on the unit. The article draws on measurements taken directly during refitting to accurately recreate their shapes and equipment.

First-Class Patrol Boat “La Teignouse”
Set sail for Quiberon and the SNS 142 “La Teignouse.” After learning about the station’s history, discover this first-class patrol boat with its distinctive silhouette, its rostrum-shaped hull, and the techniques required to create a faithful replica.

15.50-meter All-Weather Boats, Barfleur Type
First built in the late 1990s, these 15.50-meter boats are unsinkable and self-righting. Construction of the “ hull,” propeller tunnels, folding mast, and rear inflatable boat: a model particularly rich in technical details.

Côte D’Amour SNS 229
A step-by-step guide to building the SNS 229, with a special focus on its propulsion system. Propellers, custom-made tubes, engines, and rudders: a project that explores in detail the solutions chosen to create a high-performance, seaworthy model.

The SNS 052 Noé Devaud Lifeboat
A “ hull ” left in the workshop for several years comes back to life to become a detailed reproduction of the all-weather lifeboat SNS 052 Noé Devaud. Construction, motorization, equipment, and sea trials accompany this restoration project through to the finished model.

SNSM Patrol Boat Le Jean-Jacques Aubert
Discover the patrol boat from Courseulles-sur-Mer and its 1/20 scale model, as well as the story of Jean-Jacques Aubert, the captain whose name honors a remarkable 19th-century maritime rescue.

The Three SNS 143 Rescue Boats of the Carteret Station
The article begins in the midst of a rescue operation: an alert from CROSS, the crew mobilized, and departure in rough weather. Then comes a look at the SNS 143, its spectacular rostrum-shaped hull, its exterior features, and its handling at sea.

The 17.60-meter all-weather lifeboats
Fully enclosed, watertight, unsinkable, and self-righting, these lifeboats represent a major generation in modern rescue. Based in particular on the SNS 089 from Fécamp, the article details the boat’s design, equipment, colors, markings, and construction.

SNS 240 V.A. Picard-Destelan Le Tréport Station
A model created at the request of the Le Tréport lifeguards that became a true human adventure. From the search for blueprints to the handover of the model to the station, discover the history and construction of this second-class lifeboat.

SNSM Boats by Type as of August 1, 2026
An overview of the fleet that allows you to find SNSM boats by type and series, including their registration number, name, station or assignment, status, year of commissioning, length, and builder.

A richly illustrated book for anyone interested in the SNSM, at-sea rescue, service vessels, and model shipbuilding—and a valuable resource for those wishing to replicate these iconic vessels.

Much more than just a simple reprint!

This new edition of *Les vedettes de la SNSM* includes the major features that made the original MRB special issue a success, but supplements them with 40 pages of new articles devoted in particular to the SNS 052 *Noé Devaud*, the Jean-Jacques Aubert, the Trois Grunes (SNS 143), the 17.60-meter all-weather lifeboats, and the Picard-Destelan “V.A. ” from Le Tréport, as well as a new illustration of the Côte d’Amour (SNS 229).
Another major addition: the presentation of the fleet, which dated back to 2009 in the previous special edition, has now been fully updated as of August 1, 2026, to include the new generations of SNSM rescue boats, patrol boats, and vessels that have been introduced since then.
A significantly expanded volume, featuring a new layout and enhanced illustrations, which thus serves as a valuable addition even for those who already own the original edition.

Features:

• Pages: 132
• Language: French
• Authors: Alain Gibier and Jean-Claude Cauty.