New boats try not to make waves

The new boats can get closer to canoeists and rowers

New patrol boats designed to be greener and give rowers and canoeists a smoother ride have been ordered for use on the Thames.

The Port of London Authority (PLA) will use the the new fast boats between Putney and Teddington from September.

They are designed to create smaller waves and use a third of the fuel used by existing patrol boats.

The new boats will patrol daily, helping those in need and overseeing functions such as regattas.

"We are seeing a major increase in recreational use of the Thames," said PLA chief executive Richard Everitt.

"These boats have been specially designed to take account of the needs of leisure craft, in addition to other users including commercial and passenger vessels and houseboats."

Creating smaller waves also helps preserve the environment of the river and will allow those manning the patrol boats to be able to get closer to rowers, canoeists and others in small craft.

Henry Mayhew, managing director of Ecocats, which is building the new boats, said they had used a catamaran hull and light materials to create them.

"Our concept is about designing out the environmental negatives of wash, emissions and noise, while increasing high-speed response capability by 40%," he said.