UK shipyard MMS has expanded its fleet of floating refuse collection vessels with the Envirocat. is the first to clean waterways without releasing engine fumes into the environment.
A 2015 study conducted by The Ocean Cleanup found that two-thirds of the plastic waste entering the world's oceans can be traced to just 20 rivers. Besides tackling this choking marine waste problem, the non-profit also launched a number of river 'debris removers' to stem the tide at the source.
Although the Envirocat 8.5 does not look that slick, but that is not the most important thing for its purpose. The vessel is used to remove floating plastic and waste from harbours, marinas, lakes and canals. The vessel can also be equipped with a portable or fixed deck so it can also be used to support maritime companies.
Powered by two 6-kW electric outboard motors, the catamaran can reach a maximum speed of seven knots. Floating plastic or waste is collected between the hulls and trapped in a 3-cubic-metre ‘trap’. At the end of the shift, this can be lifted vertically so that the waste can be sorted and sent to the recycling company.
The six 9.6 kWh battery units are sufficient for an eight-hour working day at low speeds. Unlike other solutions, the Envirocat 8.5 is operated by a human in the wheelhouse on deck.
The Envirocat 8.5 is the brainchild of Rob Langton, managing director of MMS Ship Repair & Dry Dock Co Ltd in Hull, UK, and was developed in collaboration with naval architecture firm Rockabill Marine Design.
