Walker Marine Design celebrates contract win with Canada’s MetalCraft for new-build firefighting vessel

Award-winning naval architect firm, Walker Marine Design (WMD), announces the contract win of a specialist, new firefighting (FiFi) vessel order from Canada’s MetalCraft.

The new vessel has been customised to precisely meet MetalCraft Marine’s Kuwaiti customer’s specific requirements of a high-speed catamaran being capable of delivering a multitude of duties including vessel escort, humanitarian and disaster relief, casualty evacuation and firefighting.

Following extensive research and discussion, the design for the craft is based on a wind farm service vessel (WFSV), which provides the solution to speed and stability, together with enhanced access via extended stern platforms, as well as a docking station and crane for the daughter craft.

The FiFi vessel will be equipped with two MTU engines delivering speeds of up to 25 knots. She features a twin-storied wheelhouse, which will provide excellent visibility, will carry four crew, and is fitted with a 4-berth cabin, a medical room and equipment storage space. She also uniquely boasts six monitors (water jets) which deliver 634 gallons per hour.

Eric Connell of MetalCraft comments: “Having seen their previous vessel builds, we were confident of WMD’s experience in designing high speed catamarans and therefore approached them to discuss our vessel aspirations. The team at WMD provide an exceptional level of design expertise and are highly responsive. We are confident that this is the start of a fruitful and long-lasting relationship between our businesses.”

James Walker, Principal Naval Architect of WMD, comments: “This is a fantastic achievement for WMD, particularly as we have been selected from a global list of established players. This vessel wholly reflects our business’ ethos of delivering innovative naval architecture to a worldwide audience. Our designs are already operating successfully in Asia, Europe and the Americas, and this contract further cements our belief that WMD is the best in its field.”

The 25 metre FiFi build will commence imminently, with delivery to Kuwait anticipated in 2020.

Headquartered in Southampton, WMD’s vessel designs span pilot boats, workboats, research & survey ships, wind farm service vessels, through to specialist craft for high speed patrolling and for search and rescue operations. WMD designed craft are in active service globally, operating as far afield as South America, UK, central Europe and Asia.

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