As with all Cheetah Catamarans every effort is made to keep the vessel as strong and as light as possible thus reducing fuel consumption and enabling the vessel to be easily towed. This is accomplished using a range of high tech materials and sophisticated construction techniques developed by Cheetah Marine over the past 15 years.

Cheetah Marine have fitted a Reson TC2144 transducer as specified by Bristol Port Company. The transducer is a 24kHZ and 200kHZ dual frequency system renowned for excellent reliability and quality in hydrographic echosounding applications. The transducer fits compactly within a Cheetah designed oil bath system in one of the 10 sealed compartments in the port hull and is readily accessed via a hatch from the wheelhouse floor.

Aptly named Investigator, the 6.9m left the Cheetah yard in July. It will be used for a broad range of hydrographic applications which will include water profile analysis using Dolphin, an in-house software package designed by Bristol Port Company, as well as straight echosounding work and current/tidal profiles using an ADCP.  The fitting of a side mounted multibeam system is also planned for the near future.

With its distinctive red and white stripes, the Investigator has been fitted with twin 115hp Mariner outboards to achieve a top speed of 30 knots and comfortable cruising at 23 knots. The boat currently operates in a 26 mile sector of the Channel, however it is thought this range will be increased once  initial work has been undertaken. Investigator draws 0.3m, allowing safe surveying and accurate readings to be taken within shallow zones. Stability is crucial as often two people are leant over one side performing maintenance or repair of large buoys, another of the versatile vessel’s capabilities.Cheetah Marine survey vessels can typically be equipped with multibeam echosounders, side scan sonar, magnetometers, sub bottom profilers and ADCPs.

Cheetah Marine are currently working closely with Reson on a 7.9m fully integrated survey catamaran for the Saudi Port Authority which is due for delivery in February 2007. The vessel features a hydrodynamic pod system which can be lowered through a moon pool on the aft deck.

Cheetah Marine have also been working with Sensabrake of New Zealand to develop the first hydraulic disc braked trailer system for trailers both under and over 3500kg capacity. The first trailer will be towed by an Iveco Daily with a fifth wheel coupling and a maximum load of 4000kg.

MJ Information No:22409