20.08.2015

New PLA catamaran reaches hull milestone

(CTruk news release)

The first of the hulls of the PLA's new survey vessel is removed from the mould at CTruk's Essex yard.

Hull structures have been completed on CTruk's construction of a new 17m. survey catamaran for the Port of London Authority (PLA).

The two hulls were removed from the mould after several weeks of lay-up work and are now undergoing first stage fit out with fuel tank and ballast tank bulkheads at the company's River Colne facility in Colchester, while the deck is moulded at its Brightlingsea facility. The next stage will see the deck fitted to the hulls before the wheelhouse is added.

Production manager Sebastian Shillaker explained: "The build is progressing well and we released both hulls on the same day. We are now busy working on the deck and the mould has been prepared for the wheelhouse as we continue towards hand-over before year end."

The CTruk vessel has a low draught for shallow water access and a low air draught (height) so it can get under Thames bridges with ease. The boat can accommodate up to 12 people (two crew and 10 passengers) and is water jet propelled for low draught.