‘This year’s Seawork was the best yet in terms of new business and also feedback from those builders and stern gear suppliers already using our products’, said Neil Young. The company also reported its largest single enquiry to date.

Young continued, ‘During the show we were visited by Phillippe Maari, marine division manager of Egypt’s MAPSO Marine Propulsion and Supply. Two of our products were of immediate interest to him for existing and future projects. He had not been aware of these systems prior to his visit to Seawork.’

Shortly after the show H4 Marine was asked by Maari to quote for 30 QuicKutter sandStoppers and 30 QuicKutter rope cutters for vessels being built with a shaft diameter of 80mm. The vessels, being built in Egypt, are steel built river barges equipped with Kort nozzle propulsion. The total fleet will require 150 complete QuicKutter/sandStopper systems at a rate of 30 per year for five years.

The sandStopper is a unique invention that prevents abrasives from entering the water lubricated bearings on shaft driven vessels of all sizes. It is of particular interest for commercial vessels which operate in shallow, sandy or silt laden water and can increase the life of bearings and shafts dramatically. Depending on use, the cost can be recouped in a single season as out of the water maintenance is substantially reduced.

H4 Marine also secured a definite QuicKutter order for another MAPSO project nearing completion in Egypt, an advanced composite wave piercing vessel from the desk of New Zealand’s Craig Loomes Designs which features 100mm shafts.

Earlier this year H4 Marine confirmed a significant order from the British Royal Navy which developed from an enquiry made at Seawork 2005.