A purpose-built inflatable rescue craft for swiftwater, flood, emergency response, and difficult-access water operations. The RAR Rapid Approach Rescue Cat combines a stable twin-tube design, integrated thwarts, a self-bailing floor, multiple propulsion options, and the dedicated RAR Rescue Ramp to help trained rescue teams reach, load, and transport people in demanding water-rescue environments.
Designed Around Rescue Operations
The Rescue Cat was not developed as a recreational paddle cat that happened to get rescue colors.
RMR states that the Rapid Approach Rescue Cat was developed in cooperation with firefighters, rescue teams, and swiftwater instructors. The familiar paddle-cat concept was reworked with larger tubes, integrated thwarts, and a dedicated loading ramp to create a compact inflatable craft intended for emergency response.
The result is a rescue boat designed to be portable enough for rapid deployment while still providing the stability, rigging points, passenger space, and propulsion flexibility needed for professional operations.
The RAR Rescue Ramp
One of the defining features of the Rescue Cat is the RAR Rescue Ramp.
Instead of requiring a rescuer to lift a person completely over a full-height perimeter tube, the ramp creates a lower-access loading point for bringing injured, stranded, or exhausted people aboard.
The ramp also incorporates grab handles so rescuers have additional places to control the craft and assist with loading.
Two Rescuers. Room to Bring Four Adults Back.
RMR designed the Rescue Cat around a two-person rescue crew.
According to RMR, two rescue personnel can operate the craft with room to bring four adults back to safety. That makes the boat suitable for operations where the objective is not simply reaching a victim, but transporting multiple people away from the hazard.
Actual personnel loading, operating configuration, and use should always follow department procedures, training, equipment requirements, and conditions at the incident.
Stable Twin-Tube Rescue Platform
The Rescue Cat uses a twin-tube layout similar in concept to a paddle cataraft.
The separated tube design creates a broad, stable working platform while allowing the craft to ride high in the water. RMR and its rescue dealers specifically position that higher-riding design for shallow-water access and difficult environments where traditional boats may be harder to use.
Integrated transverse thwarts add structure to the boat and help tie the rescue platform together without requiring a conventional recreational raft layout.
Four Independent Air Chambers
The hull is divided by internal partitions into four independent air chambers.
Independent chambers provide inflation redundancy in a rescue platform that may operate around debris, rocks, damaged infrastructure, and other hazards.
Leafield D-7 valves provide the primary inflation and deflation points.
Self-Bailing Floor with Cargo Tie-Downs
The Rescue Cat uses a self-bailing floor rather than a closed floor that requires water to be manually emptied during operation.
Integrated cargo tie-down points give rescue teams places to secure equipment inside the working area of the craft.
That combination helps keep the interior functional for personnel, patients, rescue equipment, and mission-specific gear.
Paddle It, Row It, or Add a Motor
The RAR is designed around multiple propulsion options.
- Paddles for direct crew-powered maneuvering
- Oars for a rowing configuration
- Motor when the mission calls for powered propulsion
That flexibility allows a rescue organization to configure the same inflatable platform around different waterways, access points, incident types, and operating procedures.
Motor installation requires the appropriate transom or motor-mount configuration and should follow all applicable manufacturer guidance, operating procedures, and local regulations.
Built for Flood and Swiftwater Environments
The Rescue Cat is intended for more than conventional river rescue. Rescue dealers and RMR-related product information identify applications including:
- Swiftwater rescue
- Flood rescue and evacuation
- Fire department water rescue
- Search-and-rescue operations
- Environmental emergencies
- Diver-support operations
- Military and expedition use
- Transport of stranded or injured people
Its inflatable construction also makes it easier to transport into areas where launching or storing a conventional rigid-hull rescue boat may be impractical.
Heavy-Duty PVC Construction
The Rescue Cat uses 44 oz / 2000-denier PVC for the main inflatable structure, with heavier reinforced material protecting the underside.
The seams use welded, overlapped construction with seam tape inside and outside. Stainless steel D-rings provide attachment points for anchoring, rigging, hauling, or towing applications.
Strong perimeter and ramp handles provide additional handholds for rescue personnel during carrying, loading, and on-water operations.
Compact Enough for Rapid Deployment
One of the central advantages of an inflatable rescue craft is portability.
The Rescue Cat is intended to give departments a substantial working boat without requiring the storage and launch logistics of a rigid rescue vessel. Its inflatable construction allows the craft to be transported deflated and deployed closer to the incident when required.
That can be especially useful during floods, remote-access incidents, shallow-water operations, or situations where normal launch ramps are inaccessible.
RAR Rescue Cat Video
RAR Rescue Cat Highlights
- Purpose-built inflatable rescue cataraft
- Developed with firefighters, rescue teams, and swiftwater instructors
- Designed around a two-person rescue crew
- Room to return with four adults according to RMR
- RAR Rescue Ramp for lower-access loading
- Stable twin-tube design
- Four independent air chambers
- Integrated transverse thwarts
- Self-bailing floor
- Cargo tie-down points
- Stainless steel D-rings for rigging, anchoring, hauling, or towing
- Grab handles around the boat and rescue ramp
- 44 oz / 2000-denier PVC main construction
- Reinforced bottom material
- Welded overlapped seams with interior and exterior seam tape
- Leafield D-7 valves
- Paddle, oar, or motor propulsion capability
- Designed for compact transport and rapid deployment
- 5-year manufacturer warranty
Specifications
| Model | RAR Rapid Approach Rescue Cat |
|---|---|
| Type | Inflatable self-bailing rescue cataraft |
| Primary Use | Professional water rescue and emergency response |
| Rescue Crew | Designed around 2 rescue personnel |
| Recovery Configuration | RMR states room for 4 adults in addition to a 2-person rescue crew |
| Air Chambers | 4 independent chambers |
| Main Material | 44 oz / 2000-denier PVC |
| Bottom | Reinforced heavy-duty PVC protection |
| Floor | Self-bailing with cargo tie-down points |
| Valves | Leafield D-7 |
| Seam Construction | Welded overlapped seams with interior and exterior seam tape |
| Rigging | Stainless steel D-rings for anchoring, hauling, towing, and rigging |
| Propulsion | Paddle, oars, or motor with appropriate setup |
| Loading Feature | RAR Rescue Ramp |
| Warranty | 5-year manufacturer warranty |
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the RAR Rescue Cat?
The RAR Rapid Approach Rescue Cat is a purpose-built inflatable rescue craft designed for swiftwater, flood, emergency-response, and other professional water-rescue operations. It uses a twin-tube cataraft-style hull, integrated thwarts, a self-bailing floor, and a dedicated Rescue Ramp.
Who is the Rescue Cat designed for?
It was developed for professional rescue users including fire departments, swiftwater teams, emergency responders, search-and-rescue organizations, military teams, and expedition personnel. RMR states that firefighters, rescue teams, and swiftwater instructors were involved in its development.
Can the RAR Rescue Cat be used for flood rescue?
Yes. Flood rescue and the transport of people through flooded areas are specifically identified applications for the Rescue Cat. Its inflatable, high-floating design is intended to help teams operate in shallow or difficult-access water.
Is the RAR Rescue Cat a swiftwater rescue raft?
Yes. The craft was developed in cooperation with swiftwater instructors and rescue teams and is intended for moving-water rescue operations. Use should always be limited to appropriately trained and equipped personnel operating under established rescue procedures.
What is the RAR Rescue Ramp?
The Rescue Ramp is a lower-access section built into the rescue craft to make it easier for rescuers to bring injured, stranded, or exhausted people aboard without lifting them over a full-height perimeter tube.
How many rescuers operate the Rescue Cat?
RMR designed the boat around a two-person rescue team.
How many people can the Rescue Cat bring back?
RMR states that two rescue personnel can operate the boat with room to bring four adults back to safety. Actual loading and use should follow department procedures, training requirements, water conditions, and manufacturer guidance.
Does the Rescue Cat have multiple air chambers?
Yes. The hull is divided into four independent air chambers, providing inflation redundancy for professional rescue operations.
Is the RAR Rescue Cat self-bailing?
Yes. It has a self-bailing floor that allows water entering the craft to drain instead of remaining trapped inside the working area.
Can rescue equipment be secured inside the boat?
Yes. The self-bailing floor includes cargo tie-down points, and the boat also has stainless steel D-rings intended for anchoring, rigging, hauling, and towing applications.
Can the Rescue Cat be paddled?
Yes. Paddle propulsion is one of the intended operating configurations.
Can the RAR Rescue Cat use oars?
Yes. RMR-related product information identifies oars as another propulsion option when the boat is configured appropriately.
Can a motor be mounted on the Rescue Cat?
Yes. The Rescue Cat can be configured for motor propulsion with an appropriate transom or motor-mount setup. Motor selection and installation should follow the applicable manufacturer specifications, department procedures, and local regulations.
Can the Rescue Cat be used in shallow water?
The twin-tube design rides relatively high in the water, and the Rescue Cat is specifically marketed for operations where shallow-water access can be important, including flood response.
Can the Rescue Cat be used as a platform for divers?
Yes. Diver-support operations are specifically identified as one of the potential uses for the Rescue Cat.
Can it be used during environmental emergencies?
Yes. RMR-related rescue product information specifically identifies environmental accidents and emergency-response operations among the intended uses for the craft.
What material is the Rescue Cat made from?
The main inflatable structure uses heavy-duty 44 oz / 2000-denier PVC. The underside uses heavier reinforced material for additional protection in demanding operating environments.
How are the seams constructed?
The Rescue Cat uses welded overlapped seams with reinforcing seam tape on both the inside and outside.
What valves does the Rescue Cat use?
The boat uses Leafield D-7 valves for inflation and deflation.
Is the RAR Rescue Cat easy to transport?
Portability is one of the design goals of the inflatable Rescue Cat. It can be transported deflated and deployed where access for a rigid rescue boat may be difficult. Exact transport procedures should follow the organization's equipment and deployment plan.
Is this a recreational cataraft?
No. Although its design evolved from the paddle-cat concept, the RAR is purpose-built around professional rescue work with larger tubes, integrated thwarts, a rescue loading ramp, self-bailing floor, rescue-oriented rigging points, and multiple propulsion options.
What warranty does the Rescue Cat have?
The Rescue Cat is listed with a 5-year manufacturer warranty. Coverage is subject to the manufacturer's complete warranty terms.
Professional-use note: Water rescue, flood response, and swiftwater operations can involve serious hazards. This craft is rescue equipment, not a substitute for professional training, appropriate PPE, incident command procedures, or organization-specific operating protocols.
California Proposition 65 Warning: This product is made of PVC and can expose you to chemicals including Di(2-ethylhexyl)phthalate (DEHP), which is known to the State of California to cause cancer and birth defects or other reproductive harm. For more information visit www.P65Warnings.ca.gov .