Though trading for less than two years, the Special Projects Division has already repaired or refitted more than 20 RNLI lifeboats and done refits for the Strathclyde Joint Police Board, Hampshire Police Authority, and the Southern Sea Fisheries District.

Newbuilds have been delivered to Danbrit Ship Management Ltd, DB Research Ltd, and Offshore Wind Power Marine Services Ltd (OWPMS).

Both Danbrit and OWPMS have examples of South Boats' new aluminium heavy duty catamaran workboat range. Danbrit's Sirocco, a South Catamaran 42/13m wind farm support vessel was on the floating pontoon at Seawork 2005 and has subsequently proven itself at work on UK offshore windfarms, completed in excess of 1,000 transfers per month in seas of up to 3m significant wave height. The OWPMS boat is similar but 500mm longer, with hull accommodation, larger 500hp Scania DI12 marine diesels coupled to Twin Disc QuickShift boxes and a fully operational flying bridge.

Offshore Provider is scheduled to be at Seawork 2006, subject to operational commitments.

The DB Research boat is a GRP South Catamaran 40/12m research vessel which is being used to develop the Raymarine H6 range of marine electronics and other products.

The Special Projects Division has also developed a new range of aluminium catamarans for the commercial market and is currently conducting joint research and development for an 18m to 20m catamaran which is promised to 'shake this niche market to its core'. More information may be available at Seawork.

The GRP Catamaran Division specialises in building the company's 10m and 11m GRP catamarans. A new MkII 11m hull incorporates a number of design features, using a high ratio of convex underwater shapes coupled to an enhancement of South Boats' radical under bridge design to produce a vessel which increases the weight carrying capacity for diving and transfer vessels whilst still delivering excellent performance and superior seakeeping.

The GRP Moulding Division concentrates on the supply of GRP components to both the outfit divisions whilst also undertaking subcontract moulding for a number of other companies.

South Boats is planning to bring two of its vessels to Seawork 2006.

In addition to Offshore Provider, there will also be a South Catamaran 32/10m commercial fishing boat fitted with twin John Deere engines.

This boat will feature an open transom with slot-in handrails, an aft gantry, a trawl winch, twin fish holds and an offset wheelhouse.