Seawork Duo Doing Fast Patrol Craft
01 Aug 2006
Two exhibitors at Seawork 2006 are collaborating on the new 15m Fast Patrol Craft for the UK Ministry of Defence. First time exhibitor Composite Mouldings Limited (CML) has made the plug, mould and mouldings for the first of class vessel being built by Holyhead Marine Services Limited. The first hull was delivered to Holyhead Marine on Anglesey after Seawork and CML has nearly completed the deck and wheelhouse.
The Camarc designed vessel will be powered by twin 725hp Caterpillar C18 main engines driving Rolls Royce FF375S waterjets with Vector Stick-IIC electronic-hydraulic control system through Twin Disc MG5114SC gearboxes. The package will take the craft to a speed of 32 knots.
The design can also be adapted to function as a pilot boat. The first Fast Patrol Craft is due for completion by Holyhead Marine early in the New Year, with eight more to follow subject to a successful completion of trials.
CML, which has arisen from the ashes of Blondecell in new production facilities at the same Marchwood site, has already worked with Holyhead Marine supplying GRP components such as the engine box, engine box fairing and steering console for the Royal Marine Commandos' Offshore Raiding Craft. The second of 46 production models was on the Seawork 2006 floating pontoon.
CML went from seven to 15 employees on £800,000 turnover in its first year of operation and took that to 25 employees and £1.5m turnover in the second year. A first time visit to Seawork landed an immediate contract to provide the plug and mould for a new MST RIB and to build the first six hulls.
Numerous other Seawork enquiries are being progressed.
CML fabricated GRP wheelhouses for a series of 23 British Waterways pusher tugs being built by Manor Marine (see MJ May 2006) and also builds two versions of the Hawk 20 sailboat plus the Starfish children's boat for Reid Marine.
MJInformation No: 22114
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