East Cowes-based Wight Shipyard are progressing well on the build of 2 brand new fast ferries, which are set to serve on the River Thames in London.
Following on from the highly successful contract to build Red Funnel’s Red Jet 6, which was delivered in July 2016, Wight Shipyard secured a £6.3m contract in October last year for 2 more fast ferries. The contract was awarded by MBNA Thames Clippers which provides fast leisure and commuter services on the River Thames.
The 35m Mk2 Hunt Class vessels – powered by Scania DSI16 engines and Rolls Royce propulsion – will each have capacity for 175 passengers, an increase from the 150 seat capacity of the Mk1 Hunt Class craft built for the company by Incat in Tasmania and delivered in 2015. The new vessel’s design was courtesy of One2three Naval architects.
The names Mercury Clipper and Jupiter Clipper have been secured following a competition which saw over 1,100 submit their name ideas. 11-year-old Lennon from Scotland was crowned as the winner. He will be joining the MBNA Thames Clippers team in London this summer for the official naming ceremonies.
The vessel order saw the creation of 75 new jobs across the Isle of Wight and London and the involvement of over 100 businesses in the South of England as part of the delivery supply chain, plus, MBNA Thames Clippers has created 2 new dedicated apprenticeship roles.
The Mercury Clipper will take to the water in June for trials prior to delivery, with her sister craft following soon after, and both will serve the RB6 Blackfriars-Putney route.
