The Port of London Authority cutter is the first vessel of its class to be built to new MCA rules for small workboats and the jig construction method used means that the cradle built to house the hull is retained, making future "copies" of the boat, using precisely measured CNC machined steel plates, simple and very cost efficient to produce.

Wickham did not charge the PLA for the design of the vessel on the basis that it (Wickham) would retain the right to market the product more widely.

The new cutter is of extremely robust construction, with 6mm shell plating and very heavy lateral framing to protect it against crushing when operating between vessel hulls and wharves or when handling wires for the mother salvage ship. Its open deck design with side mounted control console enables maximum use to be made of the deck area and also allows wires to run the length of the vessel without being snagged on superstructure.

The vessel is powered by a UK manufactured, Finning (UK) Ltd supplied, Caterpillar 3056NA naturally aspirated engine rated 125 bhp at 2,600 rpm. The propulsion system features a sealed cooling arangement which eliminates the problem of cooling water inlet filters being blocked by the silt and debris in the River Thames, which is a recognised problem with existing vessels.

MJ Information No: 17334