"These vessels complement our existing designs, " said marketing executive Seb Freeman. "For example, we didn't make a catamaran before, so by taking on that design we are filling in a gap."

VT is now hoping to get orders for the Camarc 16-metre pilot/patrol boat, which cost between £450,000 and £850,000 per boat and will offer a version which can achieve 40 knots. Souter had made one of these boats for Associated British Ports.

The catamaran - six of which were made by Souter - is a Nelson 44, which is likely to be sold for between £250,000 and £500,000, depending upon specification.

The third design is a 7.7m workboat to carry heavy loads at a decent speed one of which was built by Souter.