Pollution Pod is Buddy’s new mod
The Pollution Pod is a simple way of inserting an oil skimmer between the hulls of the 8m Buddy workboat.
OPEC, one of the UK's leading manufacturers of MOP recovery systems, has developed a new design specifically to be used on the Liverpool Water Witch Buddy.
The lightweight double MOP conveyor system is used inside the hulls of the vessel and everything is designed to be stored in a dedicated drop in Pollution Pod, which can be neatly stored off the vessel when not required.
The Water Witch shallow draft 8m Buddy pontoon workboat is a popular platform for oil spill response craft, with the advantage of having the capability for rapid mobilisation by road and easy deployment due to its own dedicated launch and recovery trailer.
The Pollution Pod is a simple way of inserting an oil skimmer between the hulls, which can then collect and transfer oils into an OPEC flexible floating storage container alongside the boat.
Using a hydraulic power pack, the system can safely operate the skimmer and oil transfer pump with capacities up to 20 cu/m/hour of oil recovery. It provides an effective oil slick recovery system for docks, harbours, rivers, estuaries and swamp areas.
Equipped with a 40hp Mercury four stroke outboard, the 8m design offers transit speeds of some 14 knots. The unique, interchangeable pod system allows the boat to perform a range of duties including buoy handling, dock maintenance, debris cleaning, inspections, dive support and others.
Another recent innovation for the Buddy catamaran is a 12v electric powered winch option for vessels equipped with a debris collection basket. The basket can be lifted and controlled from the console using a remote control. This gives the operator the advantage of not having to leave the console to winch the basket clear of the water when in transit. When in collection mode, the basket can be controlled either by using the gate mechanism, or alternatively, lifting the basket.
This upgrade further enhances the ease in which the boat can be operated with single man operation. It has been trailed by several customers with good success and is now an option on all hull configurations.
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