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?The difference is particularly striking in the PLA?s Lower District, where patrol and pilotage savings are very signi cant,? explains Alan, ?And don?t forget: exhaust emission levels are directly associated with fuel consumption, so these are reduced by some 50% as well, compared to older vessels in like-for-like service.? Alan also highlights the other savings from the new vessel class: ?The new launches have provided greater operational availability and offer additional savings, in terms of maintenance and upkeep costs. The cost of ownership is reduced by some 28%, in comparison with the older vessels.? Workboats With the success of the PLA?s vessels, Alnmaritec has decided to market the design as the ?Wave Guardian?. Such is the success of the design that they are building a range of catamaran vessels for other clients, using the same deep V-hull shape, from 44 ft. (13.5m) in length up to 59 ft. (18m). Even with the summer 2012 festivities now a recent memory, the four vessels will be kept busy. ?The crews who man these boats are the harbor masters? eyes and ears on the river. They work with our navigational control centers to help keep vessels on the river safe and to control river traf c, during major events such as New Year?s Eve reworks. Southwark and Kew will patrol the river between Southend and Putney. This stretch of river is used by everything from large container ships to sailing dinghies, commuter ferries to barges. And with more traf c than ever expected on the river, their role is crucial,? says PLA chief executive, Richard Everitt. Among other duties, the vessels take part in traf c control during Thames closures for major engineering activity and special events; they help out in emergencies such as res, groundings, or when a person goes overboard, as well as supporting other emergency services; assist small craft in dif culties; transport pilots from ship to shore; clear debris; and much more. With so many tasks and responsibilities, the innovative, built- to-speci cation vessels will continue to be put to the test.November 201282 MNMNNov2012 Layout 82-95.indd 82MNNov2012 Layout 82-95.indd 8211/7/2012 2:47:19 PM11/7/2012 2:47:19 PM
