PLA replaces patrol vessels
The Port of London Authority has swapped one hull for two in a bid to reduce wash and improve emissions on the River Thames. Two PLA river patrol vessels have been replaced with Ecocats-designed catamarans, offering a lower-wash speed and a 67% drop in fuel consumption in comparison with the original monohulls. For each Ecocat launch well save 3,660 litres of fuel a year, said Alan Cartwright, chief marine engineer.
“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 lifespan of these two launches, we’re looking at a total saving of around 300 tonnes of CO2.”
The Ecocats also offer more stability, with a low freeboard and entry doors almost on the waterline,making recovery of casualties and debris from the water much easier than previously. The boats can also turn in their own length, and at half the draught of the monohulls.
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