Eco-friendly patrol launches for PLA

The Port of London Authority (PLA), which this year is celebrating its Centenary, is investing £2 million in a fleet of five new, specially designed harbour patrol launches. The first in the series, the “Lambeth”, a 13.5m long aluminium-hulled catamaran was completed on 15 May and delivered to the Thames for initial trials 20 May; by mid- June she will have commenced a further 3 month pilotage trials and operations on the Thames.

Built by UK-based manufacturer Alnmaritec, the five new launches have been designed with a number of environmental considerations including reduced fuel consumption; reduced wash wave generation and substantially reduced exhaust emissions. Reduced maintenance has also been incorporated with one set of parts for the whole fleet. The vessels have been specifically designed for the roles they will perform utilising innovative engineering to design out known sources of equipment failure so improving reliability and availability.

The new fleet will be engaged in a variety of duties: patrolling; supervising large vessels that come further up river – bulk sugar ships to Silvertown; cruise ships to HMS Belfast and enforcing river closures for work on bridges and sporting events. Additionally, it is intended that “Lambeth” will be used for boarding pilots and with her sister patrol boats will be used in the middle and lower districts of the tidal Thames, between Putney Bridge and the North Sea. Powered by two John Deere 200hp marine diesel engines the “Lambeth” has a patrol speed of 18 knots with a maximum of 24 knots.

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 big, well-used boats, each different from the other with regard to hull, engine and electrics.

The PLA is the harbour and pilotage authority for the tidal Thames which covers 95 miles from Teddington Lock to the North Sea. The Authority supports a vibrant Port and river community which is the second biggest Port in the country handling over 50 million tonnes of cargo a year. The river is the UK’s busiest inland waterway with over two million tonnes of materials moved on it annually. The Thames is a busy commuter route – over two million passengers travel on the river Commuters each year. It is also home to many sporting and leisure groups – up river of Putney the Thames is home to the UK’s largest group of rowing clubs.