The Ecocat design was chosen because it provides the best platform for PLA duty at affordable initial and throughlife costs.

The PLA's Harbour Service launches patrol from Teddington to Putney daily (and occasionally in the lower reaches of the Thames) and assist with river functions and regattas as well as providing navigational control and support to emergencies. The novel design of the Ecocat hull will allow patrolling and, when necessary, high speed emergency response to be made with a substantial reduction in wash wave height and energy compared to the existing patrol launches.

Closer communication with rowers and others in small river craft, a key recommendation of the navigational risk assessment, is achieved through the launches' island wheelhouse/open deck layout, bulwark doors on both sides and stern access platform.

This will facilitate management of regatta safety and the variety of other river duties.

The multihull launches are being built at Ecocat's boatyard in Torpoint. The new mould for the 9.5m hull is a development of the existing Ecocat 28ft catamaran, which attracted attention as a 'following boat' for the Oxford/Cambridge Boat race on the Thames and was then seen at Seawork 2005.

The design of the boats allows for all essential equipment and services required for the PLA's extended daytime patrols.

Propulsion and electrical generation is provided by two 36hp Yanmar Diesel outboard motors mounted within acoustic hoods to ensure the minimum audible impact.

While normal patrol speeds will be within the 8 knot speed limit upstream of Wandsworth Bridge, an 'emergency' sprint speed of 21 knots should be possible, with minimal wash effect due to the lean hull form.

All aspects of the new launches' design have taken protection and conservation of the environment into consideration. Quite apart from their low wash characteristics, the new boats will use less than one third of the fuel of the existing launches and, wherever possible, the components and materials used in construction are being obtained to ensure sustainable sourcing and recyclability. The two launches are due for delivery in September of this year.

MJ Information No: 21538