Southampton Harbour Master vessel Spitfire coming into Cowes on 1 November 2014. I took the photograph from the top deck of the 11am Red Funnel ferry back to Southampton at the end of our holiday on the Isle of Wight.
She was the first of two Interceptor 55 Pilot Patrol vessels built for VT Critical Services by Safehaven Marine and was supplied to the ABP Port of Southampton in 2009.
Powered by Scania D16 (650hp) engines she has an operational speed of 24.5 knots. Overall she is 16.7m long with a 5m beam and 1.50m draught.
I have seen the vessel and her sister ship 'Pathfinder' many times and she is used as a patrol and pilot boat in Southampton waters and in the wider Solent area.
She was the first of two Interceptor 55 Pilot Patrol vessels built for VT Critical Services by Safehaven Marine and was supplied to the ABP Port of Southampton in 2009.
Powered by Scania D16 (650hp) engines she has an operational speed of 24.5 knots. Overall she is 16.7m long with a 5m beam and 1.50m draught.
I have seen the vessel and her sister ship 'Pathfinder' many times and she is used as a patrol and pilot boat in Southampton waters and in the wider Solent area.
The vessel has air conditioned on board accommodation comprising twin bunk berths, a seating area, galley, toilets and showering facilities. One of the vessels roles is the removal of floating flotsam such as trees, pallets and other debris that often finds its way into the channel and become a hazard for boat users.
To facilitate this she is fitted with a large stainless steel basket that can be lowered 400mm below the surface to recover flotsam. The basket has a 250kg lifting capacity and the rear deck allows the carrying of recovered objects to shore. The basket can be seen folded at the stern of the ship in my photograph.
MMSI - 235073277
Callsign - 2CJH2
L 16.5 W 5
Cowes, 1 November 2014
To facilitate this she is fitted with a large stainless steel basket that can be lowered 400mm below the surface to recover flotsam. The basket has a 250kg lifting capacity and the rear deck allows the carrying of recovered objects to shore. The basket can be seen folded at the stern of the ship in my photograph.
MMSI - 235073277
Callsign - 2CJH2
L 16.5 W 5
Cowes, 1 November 2014
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