Such is their quality and design that repeat orders from the UK boat builders is increasing by the month, with outstanding service and delivery augmenting the intrinsic appeal the product.

New engraving in the frame of ‘Keep Shut At Sea’ is an important new safety feature along with engraving into the made to measure frame. This has saved a lot of time and money for the boat builders.

Sales for the entire range of Hercules Hatches are exceeding those of recent years. Seawork exhibitor Mooney Boats has recently been announced as the sole distributor in Ireland.

One of Kort Propulsion’s latest workboat placements is of XL nozzle propellers for Macduff Shipyards’ delivery of a new 14m steel workboat to Abderdeen Harbour Board, which will be used for general harbour activities including surveying, plough dredging and debris recovery.

The vessel was built to a design by Macduff Ship Design Limited, which also acted as the owner’s representative during build. The vessel was surveyed to conform to the requirements of the Code of Practice for the Safety of Small Workboats and Pilot Boats for Category 3 Waters by The Society of Consulting Marine Engineers and Ship Surveyors.

It is powered by Scania DI12 59M engines, each rated 350 hp at 1,800 rpm and driving the 1,300mm diameter Kort XL nozzle propellers through Twin Disc MGX5114 DC gearboxes with 4.59:1 reduction ratio,  controlled by a Twin Disc EC300 QuickShift system.

On trials the vessel achieved a speed of 9.6 knots and a bollard pull of 9.5 tons, surpassing contractural conditions for performance.

 The Scania main engines and Onan generator are fresh water cooled by means of Fernstrum Gridcoolers which were also supplied by Kort Propulsion, as was the s stern gear and KT30 hydraulic bow thruster.

Kort Propulsion has moved to new offices on the River Thames at Erith in Kent UK. The Boat House is only a short distance from the previous office in Erith. Its modern facilities will enhance the continuing growth of the company. All communications remain the same.

[This article first appeared in Maritime Journal]