Able to carry 20 tons in its hold, it will also be able to transport small excavators and similar plant and will have messing facilities for the river works team.

To assist manoeuvrability the vessel will have twin propellers hydraulically driven by a single Ford Mermaid diesel, the hydraulics being supplied by ARS Anglian Diesels of Loddon, near Norwich.

The design was subject to tight constraints particularly on beam and air-draught owing to the low Broads bridges. It was prepared by the yard's consultant naval architect, Bill Williams, in close consultation with Broads Authority staff.

Richards won the contract to build against competition with other specialist workboat builders, including those offering stock designs.