Centaur is a heavy displacement steel catamaran type hull with a reasonably fine bow entry.

The deck machinery is a fully hydraulic package driven from both propulsion engines and includes a side elevator, hopper left elevator, mussel line stripper, mussel grader/washer, 8 tonne/ metre crane, 3,000kg hull line capstan and two 1 tonne davit capstans.

The innovative vessel is the product of close co-operation between designers A G Salmon & Company, owners Demlane Limited, and the builder, Alexander Noble & Sons Ltd.

The deck machinery package has been laid out to maximise the space available for storing harvested mussels in bins. The stainless steel dry exhausts are carried up high in stacks with stainless steel vents to minimise fumes on deck for the crew. The vessel has been designed to be multi-purpose. To this end the machinery package is secured in a way which allows easy removal and replacement. The hydraulics are all on fast couplings with loops. This arrangement leaves a large, clear completely flat deck with aft gates and guides for anchor handling and mooring work via crane and 3 tonne capstan with fixed side shell roller and guides.

The vessel is powered by twin Daewoo 220hp 6 cylinder marine diesels driving two Dong-I gearboxes. At the fore end of each engine is a hydraulic pump clutch unit driving a full package of hydraulics designed and supplied by Torkmaster.

The propellers are heavily guarded on the outboard side of the hulls to prevent mussel lines becoming entangled. Further protection is provided by Spurs type rope cutters.

After successful sea trials, Centaur left Girvan last month on a long sea passage home to Walls in Shetland through testing conditions in heavy seas and stormy weather.

MJ Information No: 17708