Westplast AS has been building GRP boats for over 20 years and has the unusual secondary activity of building large community art projects, also in GRP.

WP950 will be used for survey exploration and recovery work and can carry a crew of four with surveying equipment. On board electronics include a Seiwa MK III blackbox echosounder and radar, Navman 7200VHF, UHF, ComNav 1440 autopilot, and a Compasspoint G2 GPS/compass.

A fire system includes detection and CO 2extinguisher in the engine room and a fire hose pumping seawater via a waterjet.

The transom of the craft has been designed with a recess to incorporate the drives and engine exhaust system.

WP950 is fitted with twin 340hp Yanmar 6LYA-STP engines driving UltraJet 305HT waterjets through a Twin Disc MG5050 gearbox. The package achieved 30 knots during trials in the North Sea and a bollard pull of 2.6 tons at 3,000rpm.

The craft has a towing force of 2,600kg, a 20kg cable lifter, a 1,500kg main winch and a secondary winch on the bow.

The UltraJet control system, which is connected to the electronically driven helmsman's seat, gives fingertip control and precise manoeuvrability at all speeds. Using waterjets also gives the craft an ability to work in very shallow draft waters safely.

MJInformation No: 21980