Leiftur Nominated for the Icelandic Design Awards 2026

Leiftur is a rescue boat designed by Páll Einarsson for Rafnar. The boat is part of Rafnar’s expanding range of rescue vessels, which are in use around the world. Leiftur is nominated for the Icelandic Design Awards 2026 in the category Product.

Leiftur brings together technological innovation, Icelandic boatbuilding traditions and the experience of Icelandic seafarers and rescue teams in a high-speed vessel designed for demanding conditions.

The hull is designed around the interaction between the boat and the sea, with the aim of reducing impacts, improving stability and manoeuvrability, and thereby reducing the strain on people and equipment when travelling at high speeds.

Since its initial launch, Leiftur has been developed in 13 different configurations, manufactured in seven countries and has been Rafnar’s best-selling boat for more than a decade. But the impact of its design extends far beyond commercial success. Leiftur has enabled rescue teams to carry out their work in the most challenging conditions and has played a role in saving lives. When everyone else heads for shore because of the weather, Leiftur heads out to sea.

The design of Leiftur stems from Icelandic boatbuilding traditions and Rafnar’s close collaboration with the Icelandic Coast Guard, engineers, tradespeople and experienced seafarers. Ingenuity, technical expertise and practical experience come together, drawing on local craftsmanship to meet the demands of modern manufacturing and challenging real-world use.

The jury considers the boat’s technical performance and form to be seamlessly integrated. Its lines reflect both the way it interacts with the sea and the heritage of Icelandic boats. The design is so distinctive that the vessel is instantly recognisable, and it has helped shape Rafnar’s overall visual identity.

Leiftur demonstrates how outstanding design can have an impact far beyond the object itself, influencing safety, working conditions and technological development. The project combines Icelandic craftsmanship, maritime tradition and innovation in a design that has proven its value in real-world conditions and gained international reach.