Specialist software firm SciSys has landed a £1m extension to a contract to supply its innovative technology to the Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI).
The Chippenham-based firm was originally contracted to supply system and information management (SIMS) systems for the first 11 vessels in the RNLI’s latest class of lifeboat, the Shannon, pictured. 
The extension announced today adds a further 12 boats to the contract to be supplied over two years, starting in the final quarter of this year.
SIMS allows RNLI volunteer crew members to monitor and operate the lifeboat’s navigation, communication, machinery and systems from the safety of their seats.
The RNLI plans to add more than 50 Shannons to its fleet. So far five Shannon all-weather lifeboats have been built, with two in active service at RNLI stations in Dungeness and Exmouth.
SciSys divisional director Dave Gawthorpe said: “Securing the contract for the next 12 Shannon lifeboats is important as it further establishes the SciSys position in the marine electronics integration market. Our innovative approach to supplying marine electronics integration systems is attracting a lot of interest in both the civilian and defence marine sectors.”
SciSys CEO Klaus Heidrich added: “The RNLI SIMS contract is a good example of SciSys working in partnership with a customer to bring value at the core of their business. The Shannon class lifeboat is hailed as a step-change in lifeboating and SciSys is proud to be part of such a high profile and successful programme.”
Last month SciSys, which employs around 430 staff across its bases in Chippenham, Bristol, Reading and two offices in Germany, announced an 86% rise in interim profits to £1.3m despite revenues dipping by 1% to £21.1m.
Its clients are predominantly blue chip and public sector organisations such as the Environment Agency, the Ministry of Defence, Airbus, the European Space Agency, the BBC and the National Trust.
