The boat is designed to meet the MCA Code of Practice for Small Workboats and is effectively a floating JCB or 'Aquadozer'. It collects debris in a scoop at the front of the vessel which has a maximum lifting capacity of 1,000kg. The Water Witch can also provide dredging, aquatic weed control, fire fighting and oil spill response capabilities. Optional accessories specified for the Glasgow boat include a work platform attachment for personnel access and a Hydrainer submersible water pump. Driven off the vessel's own hydraulic system for fire fighting, salvage and cleaning duties, the pump has a capacity of 51 litres/second.

Power is provided by a single Perkins sabre M185C diesel coupled to a Twin Disc MG507 gearbox, good for a maximum speed of 8.5 knots. Fire Master Limited will supply a Micro-K fire suppression system for the engine compartment. The MCA Code compliant system consists of electrically operated solid aerosol generators activated manually from the control cabin. A 240V AC electrical system is powered by a Panda 8kVA generator.

The customer has also commissioned a 20 tonne capacity debris storage and transfer barge which the Water Witch will be able to push at full speed while fully laden.

Featuring standard skips used universally by waste transfer operators, the barges provide a solution for the storage and transfer of recovered debris.

Fully loaded skips can be transferred by skip handling vehicles for disposal.

MJ Information No: 18040