MMS Workboats, a division of MMS Ship Repair & Dry Dock Co Ltd. (MMS), has today announced the launch of the Envirocat All-Electric Eco 8.5, a cutting-edge plastic and debris collection vessel.
The vessel, developed in conjunction with Naval Architecture Firm Rockabill Marine Design, was developed is in response to the increasing need for plastic removal from waterways worldwide.
Designed to make waterways cleaner and support sustainable industries such as fish farming and aquaculture, the 8.5m vessel can be operated by a single user, which MMS says enables efficient, cost effective and environmentally friendly clearance of plastic and flotsam from water.
Recent studies found 5000 pieces of plastic and 150 plastic bottles for each mile of UK beaches, with most of this waste entering seas and oceans through rivers and in-land waterways.
According to the United Nations Environment Programme report in 2021, there is an estimated 75-199 million tons of plastic in the world’s oceans.
Predictions show the amount of plastic waste entering aquatic ecosystems could more than double from an estimated 19-23 million tons per year in 2016 to around 53 million tons per year by 2030.
Rob Langton, MD at MMS, said, “We are proud to introduce a zero-emission vessel that not only helps clean our waterways but also supports the growth of eco-conscious industries like aquaculture, without a hefty price tag. This launch underscores our dedication to providing efficient, reliable, and eco-friendly solutions to our customers.”
Key features
Powered by two electric outboards, the vessel produces zero emissions, and is designed to efficiently collect floating plastic and debris from the water’s surface.
The vessel can hold up to 3m³ of waste, reducing marine pollution, and is suited to a range of applications, including clearing harbours, ports, marinas, lakes, and canals, as well as supporting fish farming and aquaculture operations as a general workboat.
The operational cost of the Envirocat All-Electric Eco 8.5 comes in at two pounds per hour (based on 2023 UK electric costs of 34p per kWh).
The vessel also features a wheelhouse with tinted bonded windows, and digital and colour indicators provide essential information such as RPM, power consumption, distance, and speed. Further, the catamarans are constructed with marine-grade aluminium, ensuring both durability and longevity while keeping maintenance costs to a minimum.
