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First Ecocat 10m enters service with Port of London Authority
Those working on the tidal Thames or using it for recreation and leisure might think they’re seeing double. Where there used to be one hull, there are now two. Two Port of London Authority (PLA) river patrol vessels have been replaced by new technology catamarans, designed specially for harbour patrol duties by Plymouth-based Ecocats. The first of these catamaran launches, ‘Chelsea’, has just gone into service after acceptance trials and crew familiarisation training. The second, ‘Richmond’ is scheduled for delivery in January 2007.
There were two factors behind the PLA’s decision to move to Ecocats. Alan Cartwright, Chief Marine Engineer, explains that a prime concern on the tidal Thames is the wash made by powerboats. “Our patrols invariably meet rowers, from single sculls to racing eights, as they patrol the river. With a freeboard of only a few inches these are very vulnerable to wash. The new Ecocat catamaran launches create only one third of the wash caused by our old launches. Although we still slow down for rowers and other boats we can now respond to urgent calls without putting them at risk from our wash.”
The riverbank benefits too. Wash from boats creates erosion and subsequent silting as the mud and sand falls to the river bottom. It disturbs wildlife habitats, especially nesting and feeding birds, and has even been known to ruin a peaceful picnic! Less wash means less disturbance, less erosion, less silting.
Other environmental concerns tackled by the new Ecocat launches are fuel consumption and emissions. The monohull launches, now replaced by the Ecocats, each required a 240hp diesel engine to achieve their maximum service speed. Due to lower hull resistance, the new Ecocats achieve the same performance with twin 36hp diesel outboards. This gives the PLA a remarkable 67% fuel saving (across the same operational profile). There are also consequent reductions in atmospheric emissions.
Alan Cartwright comments “For each Ecocat launch we’ll save 3,660 litres of fuel a year. With a litre of diesel producing 2.7kg of carbon dioxide, that represents almost 10 tonnes of CO2 per launch per year. Over the anticipated 15 year life of these two launches, we’re looking at a total saving of around 300 tonnes of CO2.”
The new boats are also fitted with solar panels – using the power of the sun to provide electricity for key systems on board – which also make an additional contribution to improved environmental performance.
Henry Mayhew, MD of Ecocats, anticipates environmental concerns beginning to influence all forms of vessel choice around the globe. “The PLA is leading other ports and harbour authorities in looking at green solutions. The ability to replace thirsty monohull launches with more economical and functionally-equivalent Ecocats will enhance port and river authorities’ environmental credentials as well as their bottom lines”.
Captain Ray Blair, a PLA Deputy Harbour Master, cites other advantages. “The new ‘Chelsea’ and ‘Richmond’ launches have been built specifically to meet our requirements. We involved the crews of the existing launches fully in their specification, with the objective of giving them a better working platform. The 10 metre Ecocat provides just that. It’s more stable and has a much bigger and more secure deck area. It has low freeboard, and with entry doors almost on the waterline recovery of casualties and debris from the water is much easier than previously. The boats turn in their own length, and at half the draught of the monohulls, can operate closer to banks and shoals, which is very important at low water.”
Both the old monohull launches have now been sold and we have the new ‘Chelsea’ covering the Teddington to Putney patrol area until the second launch comes into service. “Because the low-wash speed of the new launch is so much better, its effective range is much improved on that of the old boats” says Captain Blair. “An Ecocat can transit from the Tower of London to Richmond in a couple of hours, against the tide. With the older boats, limited to six knots because of wash considerations, the trip has often taken double that. With all the advantages of the Ecocat, we are very pleased that the first one is in service, with another to follow shortly. The new design of launch does exactly what we want it to. As we were involved throughout the specification and design process, that’s gratifying.”
Although the launches will operate on the relatively sheltered Thames, the vessels are coded MCA Category 3 (up to 20 miles offshore) suitable for use in significant wave heights and wind strengths. ‘Chelsea’ was delivered from Plymouth to the Thames under its own steam, by sea, through typical Northern European autumn weather.
Managing Director Henry Mayhew explains the thinking behind Ecocats. “Almost all patrol craft have their roots in military thinking, where power and speed were paramount. But that formula is not really applicable to many of today’s patrol operations, which have a major environmental agenda. What is needed today is craft that offer the same performance using much less power and making much less wash. Catamarans are accepted now as passenger ferries, high-speed round-the-world racing yachts, and fishing boats. Our objective is to provide users with craft which do everything they demand of their current fleet, sustainably.”
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About Ecocats:
Ecocats is owned by its staff and based at Torpoint, Cornwall, on the upper reaches of Plymouth Harbour. It was established in 2000 and has vessels in service as passenger ferries, filming boats and patrol craft.
About the Ecocat E10M
Length overall 10.00m
Beam 4.00m
Draught 0.50m
Service speed 30kts depending on power
Engines 2 x outboards or inboards from 2x 36 hp to 2x 170hp
Weight 3.8 tonnes
About the Port of London Authority: The PLA is the authority responsible for navigational safety and related matters on 150kms (95 miles) of the tidal Thames from Teddington to the sea.