A coastal working vessel, Alert will maintain aids to navigation, provide a fast response to incidents and carry out emergency wreck marking and hydrographic survey services. Its primary area of operation will be the busy shipping routes of the Dover Strait, English Channel and Southern North Sea.

Following the launch the Trinity House party was invited to witness the cutting of steel to begin the construction of the new 84m Trinity House Multi-Function Tender (MFT) THV Galatea, which is scheduled for delivery in early 2007. Speaking after the ceremony, Trinity House’s executive chairman Jeremy de Halpert said, ‘It’s a very exciting day for all of us. We have just seen the first fruits of our long term planning and investment.

These ships are being built to the high technical standards the GLAs demand in order for us to complete our exacting operations around the coastline of Britain. They will allow us to continue to give a top class service with excellent ships at a highly competitive price, thus ensuring the ship owners continue to get the best value for money.’ The Northern Lighthouse Board, the GLA for Scotland and the Isle of Man, has also ordered an 84m MFT which is due for delivery in the autumn of 2006.

MJ Information No: 21225