Managing director Rodney Jenkins commented that he is very pleased with the investment and considers the vessels to be a valuable addition to the Jenkins fleet and the wider charter market.

'With their speed and capacity and overall length well under the compulsory pilotage limit, they should be in demand', he said.

Both vessels are now in service in the Solent port of Lymington, alongside the company's self propelled backhoe dredger Doreen Dorward and the self propelled hopper barge Hop.

Jenkins Marine have been contracted to remove 35,000m 3of virgin material to create a new marina for Lymington Harbour Commissioners. Works are expected to be completed by the end of this month.

Commenting on a significant year, operations manager Jeremy Jenkins said, '2005 has been a phenomenal year for Jenkins Marine and things look set to continue. At present we have every vessel in the fleet out.

We are constructing a new 125m quayside at Christchurch, dredging at Lymington, and have other dredging projects to complete in the New Year.'

MJ Information No: 21301