Traditional and contemporary designs of small commercial and paramilitary vessels for harbour, river and security patrolling, emergency response and pilotage duties rely, in the main, on heavy monohull forms with high levels of vessel wake wash and unnecessarily high fuel consumption. This is set to change, thanks to the new design.

Because of the substantially reduced resistance and finer hull lines, wake wash wave heights and energies are reduced by approximately 60%, when compared with the patrol launches formerly used. This allows patrolling and emergency response to be achieved, at high speed, without endangering other craft operators and has cut fuel consumption and emissions by approximately 70%.

The potential for damage to river banks or coastal environment is substantially reduced. The design team's contribution to protection of the environment and enhancement of safety was recognised by Lloyd's Register and the Royal Institution of Naval Architects, by award of their 2006 Ship Safety award to the Port of London Authority, Ecocats Limited and Southampton University.

Having proven the concept in the PLA's Upper District (Teddington to Putney), the overall design has been developed for construction of a new class of 13.5m finely-lined catamaran launches, for patrol and pilotage operations downstream and up to 20 miles to sea. This new approach to vessel design offers better protection to the environment and substantial through-life savings, to operators requiring robust vessels for harbour and security patrol duties, emergency response and pilotage operations.

Tickets for the Supper Meeting cost £20 for IMarEST members, £30 for non-members, and £10 for IMarEST retired/student members. Non-members completing the Elective Member application attached to the leaflet promoting the Supper Meeting are able to attend the meeting free of charge. Online registration is at www.imarest.org/events or registrations can be made via the IMarEST Events team, Tel: +44 (0)20 7382 2636 and events@imarest.org