Cork boatbuilders set to launch new Royal Navy vessel

A boat being built for the Royal Navy on the shores of Cork has been named and is only a few weeks away from being launched.

It was revealed in August that Cobh boat building company Safehaven Marine was awarded a contract to build the biggest vessel of a 38 strong fleet for the Royal Navy.

The Wildcat 60 Catamaran, which Safehaven managing director Frank Kowalski said is an “important contract, for the company has been named HMS Magpie and is awaiting module and final installations.

“Pleased to announce our new Motor Survey launch will be named HMS Magpie. The last HMS Magpie was commanded by HRH The Duke of Edinburgh in Malta in the early 1950s. Great to revive such a special link to our Lord High Admiral”, the Royal Navy said.

The 18-metre long Wildcat 60 catamaran for the UK Ministry of Defence which will be used for a range of military purposes.

The boat is capable of operating offshore for seven days with 12 crew on board. Such long duration voyages are made possible by the integration of a watermaker converting up to 1,300 litres of salt water into fresh water and supplemented by an 800-litre fresh water capacity - with a 600-litre black water tank also fitted onboard.

The contract was awarded to Safehaven by main contractors Atlas Elektronik (AEUK).