The prototype was such a success that it was put into action immediately. The company quickly secured a contract to work for the Mersey Docks and Harbour Board recovering marine debris in over 37 miles of polluted docks. Commissions from around the world followed and today the business designs and manufactures vessels for the UK and overseas markets.

Mary worked alongside Francis at the company from its establishment, overseeing the day to day management of the office. Son Joseph has been employed at the company since 1964, becoming managing director in 1975.

Mary said, 'I'm delighted to be handing over the ropes of the company, safe in the knowledge that my son and grandchildren are carrying on my late husband's work. We have always prided ourselves that we are a true family company and believe that is what has helped us to survive as long as we have done.'

The Water Witch vessels, best described as floating bulldozers, utilise a range of attachments to deal with environmental projects.

They work alongside a skipper barge designed to hold standard garbage collection skips which are filled with debris then loaded dockside onto a skip wagon which transports the material to an appropriate disposal site.

Water Witch are constructed and welded to Lloyds A1 requirements from Lloyds Grade A 6mm MS steel plate. They have a maximum speed of 8.5 knots and under normal operating conditions can elevate a payload of 1,000kg to a maximum height of 3.8m above the keel without adversely affecting the stability of the craft. It has a range of hydraulically operated attachments including a general purpose mesh scoop to collect surface debris and weeds and, when fitted with a deep dig dredge unit, can dredge to a depth of 3.6m.

Every Water Witch vessel can be equipped with special oil skimmers or MOP units as well as pressure washers and dispersant spray unit.

MJ Information No: 19810