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Passenger Cats Join the Navy
01 Jan 2002
The Isle of Wight based Aluminium Shipbuilders Ltd has delivered the last of four 18m passenger transfer catamarans for use in the Portsmouth and Plymouth Naval Dockyards.
The craft, named Padstow, Newhaven, Nutbourne and Netley were built to a contract placed by Serco Denholm Shipping Company Limited on behalf of the Ministry of Defence. Serco Denholm operate Port Service vessels for the MoD in Portsmouth, Plymouth, and the Clyde Naval Bases.
The craft have steel hulls and resiliently mounted aluminium deckhouses incorporating on the lower level a passenger cabin with seating for 60 and two toilet compartments. The wheelhouse on the upper level also incorporates a small mess for the crew. Resilient mounting of the deckhouse results in very low noise levels.
The vessels are powered by twin Cummins marine diesels and can achieve a top speed approaching 12 knots, with 9 knots available from only one engine. With its widely spaced twin screws, the design is extremely manoeuvrable.
The two engine rooms are totally independent and offer a high degree of redundancy in the event of damage or flooding to either space.
The craft have been built to comply with the latest Maritime and Coastguard Agency safety requirements and are licensed as Class IV Passenger Vessels.
They have also been built to survey and classification by Lloyds Register to their Special Service Craft Rules.
MJ Information No: 16633
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