British shipyard MMS has added a new member to its scum collection fleet. The latest Envirocat is the first vessel that can clean waterways without emitting engine fumes into the environment. A 2015 study by TheOceanCleanup found that two-thirds of the plastic waste entering the world's oceans can be traced to 20 rivers. In addition to tackling this suffocating litter problem at sea, the nonprofit is launching a series of river interceptors to stem the tide at its source.
Although Envirocat8.5 looks less flashy, its design purpose is the same. It is tasked with clearing floating plastic trash and debris from ports, marinas, lakes and canals, but may also double as a general work boat if a portable or fixed deck is installed.
As the catamaran travels at 7 knots with the help of two 6kW electric outboards, any floating plastic or debris that collects on the sea surface between the hulls is stopped by a 3 cubic meter (106 cubic feet) basket trap. At the end of the shift, it can be lifted vertically and the waste can be sorted and sent for appropriate disposal or recycling.
The boat's six 9.6-kilowatt-hour battery units are estimated to be enough for eight hours of low-speed operation. Unlike solutions such as Clearbot, Envirocat8.5 requires manual operation, but only one person can operate it in the cab.
Envirocat 8.5 is the technical brainchild of Rob Langton, general manager of MMSS Ship Repair & DryDock Co Ltd. in Hull, UK, and was developed in cooperation with the naval architecture studio Rockabill Marine Design.
Prices have not yet been announced, but prospective buyers are advised to contact the company directly to arrange a trip to Hull Shipyard for sea trials on a demonstration vessel.