The Xplorer Gemini Fastcat Catamaran, Western Docks, Dover Harbour, Kent, UK.

The Xplorer, owned by FD Marine, is shown in front of the concrete apron of the old Hoverport at 2.57 pm on Monday, 9th of August 2010.

Extract from the the Dover Harbour Board, "Notice to Mariners No. 8/2010", issued on the 13th of June, 2010:

On Wednesday, 14th July, the workboat began a full hydrographic survey of the Port of Dover. The survey is expected to take 6 weeks and in addition to the survey inside the Port, will include the coastline either side of Dover up to a distance of 1 nautical mile from the shore.

Photo taken from the Prince of Wales Pier. One side of the North Pier, entrance to the Tidal Harbour, is at top-left.

Xplorer details:

MCA Workboat Code: Area 2, 60 mile
Licensed for: 12 passengers and 2 crew
Loadline: 4000Kg of cargo/equipment
Power: 2 X Cummins 430hp engines
Max speed: 25 knots
Cruising speed: 18 knots
Loa: 12.00 metres
Beam: 5.20 metres
Draft: 1.20 metres
Headroom: 2.00 metres

Xplorer features:

Extended wheelhouse
Spacious working desck
Stern door access for divers/equipment
Deck crane with winch
Hydraulic capstan - 1 tonne
Survey equipment mounting brackets
Dive ladder

More info on the original The Xplorer Gemini Fastcat Catamaran, Western Docks, Dover Harbour webpage.

John Latter / Jorolat

Dover Blog (Social Psychology)