A Russian inland waterway agency has placed new buoy tenders into service and a UK builder has introduced a new range of rigid inflatable boats for use in the offshore and security sectors. Another UK firm has meanwhile unveiled a fully electric workboat design available in different variants.
Estonia's Baltic Workboats and Lithuania's Western Baltija Shipbuilding have been selected for the construction of the hull of a new pilot boat ordered by Belgian state-owned operator DAB Vloot.
The vessel will measure 80 by 13 metres and will have space for 20 crewmembers and up to 12 pilots. The propulsion will deliver a speed of 14 knots even in significant wave heights of up to 2.8 metres.
An energy storage system will also be fitted to permit operation on fully electric mode.
UK-based Fish Marine Design (FMD) has introduced a new series of workboats with modular construction and lengths ranging from 12 to 24 metres.
FMD said the first example is being developed in collaboration with RAD Propulsion and will be fitted with the latter's proprietary 120kW drive system. Its official launch is scheduled for later this year.
The Wolf Rock Boat Company based in Churchstow in the UK recently introduced a new series of rigid inflatable boats (RIBs) designed for a range of applications.
Wolf Rock said each RIB in the series will be built around a deep-vee aluminium hull engineered to deliver a smooth ride as well as improved seaworthiness even under extreme conditions. The hull will be of recyclable construction to ensure long-term durability with reduced environmental impact.
Rechvodput, the main inland waterway transport agency of the Russian Government, has commenced operational sailings of two new buoy tenders built by local shipyard Kingisepp Machine-Building Plant.
Styerkh and Cibis belong to the Project 3050.1A series of buoy tenders designed by the Gorky Central Design Bureau.
UK naval architecture firm Walker Marine Design has been selected by maritime training specialist Ambex for the design of a custom eight-meter rigid inflatable boat (RIB) that will support operations of unmanned surface vehicles.
The aluminium-hulled RIB will be powered by twin Mercury SeaPro 300 outboards, delivering speeds in excess of 50 knots.
Key design features will include: twin Shockwave jockey seats; a deck-mounted track system to enable flexible equipment deployment; and side door access.