New lease of life for the compact Eddie C
The compact workboat/tug Eddie C graced the pages of MJ back in 2004 when it escorted the heavy lift, multi-purpose barge Terra Marique on its voyage up London’s River Thames to Isleworth, where it loaded the British Airways Concorde aircraft en route to its final resting place in Scotland.
In charge of the upriver pilotage on that operation was Chris Livett, MD of Livett’s Launches who accompanied the convoy aboard the Eddie C. This sturdy and handy sized workboat has also been used on many of Livett’s other contracts, including several major civil engineering projects such as the recently completed Blackfriars Rail Bridge redevelopment (see MJ passim) and various jobs connected with the London Olympics in 2012.
Livett’s Launches also specialises in a range of public relations and media contracts and the boat has been used as a stable camera platform for film and television shoots. Feature film assignments have included James Bond (The World is Not Enough), Harry Potter, Sherlock Holmes and many others. Eddie C is one of several workboats in the Livett fleet, which also includes an ex-Metropolitan Police Targa launch used for training. Allied trading companies include Thames Luxury Charters, with its fleet of pleasure boats and Bennett’s Barges, which operates the tug Steven B.
Now, 10 years after the Concorde job, Eddie C has just been completely re-fitted with a new engine, upgraded fittings and refurbished accommodation. The refit took place between October 2013 and February this year.
Built in 1988 by Steel Technique at Sheerness, Eddie C is a versatile workboat/tug with a length overall of 10m, beam 3.7m, air draft 2.56m and displacing 7 tonnes. Its working speed is 7 knots, total deck area is 19.32m and electrical power is 12V.
The vessel has a low freeboard of 0.9m and a central ‘island’ wheelhouse allowing for 360˚ viewing. The central cabin has doors each side and is surrounded by an accessible deck area. A companionway forward leads to day accommodation with v-berth seating and a toilet. Aft of the wheelhouse, steps lead into the engine room.
Eddie C is workboat coded by the Port of London Authority to carry 12 passengers. It is fully fendered all round. Basic electronics include a GPS tracking system and VHF radio. For those who care about such things, Eddie C is also considered one of the prettier workboats on the Thames
The refit was carried out at Denton, Gravesend by Mick Godfrey of Next Craft, who has done repairs and refits for many of Livett’s vessels. The hull was shot blasted and repainted entirely. The interior and exterior of the vessel were completely repainted. The original main engine, a Ford Dover Series rated 150 bhp, was removed and replaced with a Perkins 150 C diesel giving a 60 hp increase. An inverter was fixed to allow for 240V power. The prop was re-pitched, new replacement windows were fitted and the cabin interior re-furnished for the crew, allowing for office space and toilet facilities. The reborn vessel looks as smart as it is sturdy and should be good for another 25 years service on the London river.
by Graeme Ewens
