Now back at NSW, Board Member Christian Eckel explained to MJ that during sea trials a short-circuit had occurred in the electrical winding mechanism in one of the SWATH catamaran's PM - magneto electric - drive motors in the port side float. 'That should not happen in new motors, but can still occur', added spokesman Reinhold Brenner.

Although some reports originally spoke of possible delivery as early as November, Eckel told MJ 'it is uncertain at present whether delivery can take place before the end of the year'.

Brenner said the defective motor had been sent back to makers Magnet Motors in south Germany, repaired and returned by late October and was being re-installed up to the end of November. New sea trials would take place in early December, but a date for handover had not been fixed and was being negotiated with the ship's new owners, the German Navy, he said.

Planet 's all-electric energy and drive systems are being employed for the first time by the Navy. Extremely silent electric motors, two each in the twin hulls under the water-line for a combined 4160kW, drive the two propellers and provide 15 knots.

This reduces the acoustic signature drastically.

Drawing 6.8m and displacing 3,400 tons Planet is for use as a Navy platform for research and trials. However the type will undoubtedly also find a wider commercial application and NSW will be looking for more orders for the unusual ship.