New PLA Harbour Launches .jpg) Background
- The Port of London Authority (PLA) is investing £2 million in a fleet of five new, specially designed harbour patrol/pilotage launches.
- The Authority has patrolled the river since it was formed 100 years ago, to help river users with navigational safety.
- The first of the new launches, Lambeth, will be officially named by Elaine Dumelow, wife of Secretary of State for Transport the Rt Hon Geoff Hoon MP at Westminster Boating Base on 9 June.
Why the new boats are being commissioned
The five new launches will produce benefits including:
- substantially reduced fuel consumption and exhaust emissions
- reduced wash wave generation
- easier operation – the boats have been specifically designed for the roles they perform
- much easier maintenance – one set of parts will do for all the boats
- improved reliability and availability, using innovative engineering to design out known sources of equipment failure
Computer modelling
Testing the design
Building in progress
Building continues
The hull takes shape
Trials on the Thames
Trials continue
Side view
Cockpit view
Interior detail
What the launches do
The Harbour Patrol Service provides the Harbour Masters’ eyes and ears on the river.
Their duties include:
- patrolling – keeping an eye on things; they have powers to detain a vessel if they are unhappy with the way it is being navigated
- supervising large vessels that come further up river – bulk sugar ships to Silvertown; cruise ships to HMS Belfast
- enforcing river closures for work on bridges, sporting events, plus fireworks (New Year’s Eve)
Additionally, it is intended that Lambeth should be used for boarding pilots on to ships
Lambeth and her sister patrol boats will be used in the middle and lower districts of the tidal Thames, between Putney Bridge and the North Sea.
About the design
The design of the new launches is the product of five years of careful research and development, aimed at equipping the harbour and pilotage services with the most modern and efficient vessels for the job. Similar, award winning twin-hulled vessels were successfully introduced for the PLA’s patrolling duties up river of Putney, two years ago.
The new launches will replace seven relatively heavy, well used boats, each different from the other (hull, engine and electrics).
Next steps
After her official naming, Lambeth will embark on a 3-month programme of trials, to check her capabilities and identify possible improvements that can be made for the next four boats.
The next four vessels in the series will be built and enter service on the river over the next three years.
Watch the Film
Basic details
- Name: Lambeth
- Builder: Alnmaritec, based in Alnwick, Northumberland
- Hull type: Aluminium catamaran, with deep vee hull form, designed by Newcastle University. Hull structure designed by Amgram Limited
- Dimensions: 13.5m long, overall and 4.8m wide
- Weight: 11 tonnes
- Maximum speed: 21 knots (24 mph)
- Patrol speed: 18 knots (20.5 mph)
- Engines: Two John Deere 200 horsepower marine diesel engines - installed power of 400 HP
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