‘Ouse II Know’ Cheetah Riverboat
‘Ouse 2 Know’ is a 6.9m Cheetah Patrol and Enforcement Catamaran operating on the Fens Waterway System. Top priorities for the Environment Agency were stability, a good load carrying capacity and a generously sized working deck.
Aptly named ‘Ouse 2 Know’, the 6.9m with the long wheelhouse will be used as a patrol and enforcement vessel on a 140km stretch of the Great River Ouse within the Fens Waterways system. ‘Ouse2Know’ will also be involved in various promotional activities as the Environment Agency continue to develop the Fens Waterways Link and aim to raise the profile of the Fens encouraging more people to take to the river in a safe and enjoyable way.
Mervyn Day, Environment Agency Skipper
'To say I am pleased with the boat is an understatement. The two other River Inspectors and I, have used her on patrols all along the Great River Ouse and its tributaries and she is a pleasure to use. She handles well and has great manoeuvrability with twin engines, even at slow speeds.This type of boat is not something we are used to and she is a real head turner when cruising down the river. She is incredibly stable. Last week I took out a party from a visiting town to look at the Ely waterfront and they were most impressed by the boat and Ely. All in all, we are very pleased.'
The 6.9m features a side door allowing access for wheelchair users as well as enabling straightforward loading of various equipment. Stainless steel keel bands on the hulls coupled with a shallow draught of about 30cm enable the Cheetah to work in the 35 km of tidal river and other shallow channels of the river system. The hulls are designed to beach with the option of loading from the bow on river banks.
Fuel consumption from twin Honda 40HP fourstroke engines at cruising speeds is incredibly economic with a reserve top speed of 22 knots if required. Shallow draught contributes to low wash eliminating concerns of damage to flood defence and habitats along the riverbank and minimizing disturbance to other boat users.
Cheetah fabricated stainless work includes a full set of safety rails conforming to MCA specification and a small mast which can be folded down before going under bridges. The long survey style wheelhouse features small galley area including sink, portable burner and water supply on the port side with a double bench seat with storage under on the starboard side. The wheelhouse has been designed to offer maximum all round vision with sliding side windows and good vision fore and aft from the raised Helm and Navigators seats.
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