Falmouth’s new ‘Aberfal’

The boat which has been named Aberfal (Cornish for Falmouth) will replace FHC’s existing vessel, Pendennis, which has served the Commissioners since 1982.

The 12-metre steel-hull catamaran, with a 5-metre beam, was designed by naval architect Ian Darley and constructed by Dorset based boat manufacturer, Manor Marine. Purpose designed and based closely on its predecessor, Aberfal is highly maneuverable so as to be able to get into the tight spaces required to pick up and service small craft moorings.

Like Pendennis, Aberfal will be used for maintaining small craft moorings as well as other harbour maintenance activities such as the servicing of navigation marks and undertaking limited salvage and counter pollution duties.

Aberfal technical information:

* It is equipped with a 2.5 tonne Amco Veba knuckle boom crane and 1 x 3.5 tonne and 1 x 2 tonne Spencer Carter winches as well as a 5 tonne A-frame to provide a vertical lift over the stern.

* Positioning is provided by a Hemisphere integrated differential GPS and compass which will provide sub-metre mooring positioning accuracy via Hypack Hydrographic Positioning software.

* The deck layout gives improved working area compared to the existing vessel and the larger hulls provide increased reserve buoyancy when lifting.

Mark Sansom, Chief Executive and Harbour Master, said: “We’re delighted to have received Aberfal this week.

“The deck layout of the new boat will provide an improved working area. It also has larger hulls, which will mean increased reserve buoyancy when lifting. I’m sure that it will be a fantastic asset for us – its flexibility will enable us to undertake a wide range of maintenance tasks with the maximum efficiency.”

Aberfal will be undertaking final acceptance trials and commissioning, before taking over from Pendennis which will be put up for sale.

By Jake Frith