Fenland’s extensive experience in operating pilot boats in the river Nene and The Wash is being used to help design the best boat for the job. Wisbech harbour master Peter Harvey and his marine services supervisor, John Allen, have played a key role in providing design input.

Fenland’s design input has already included aspects of wheelhouse layout and the choice of the Perkins Sabre engine has been influenced by Fenland through installation in their other harbour craft.

The new design will be ready for sea trials during May and will feature at the marine trade exhibition, Seawork ’08 in June. The 33ft boat will then sail round the coast to Wisbech where it will supplement Fenland’s existing 45ft pilot boat in order to cope with the increased attraction of the Nene ports for the transfer of freight by sea.

'This joint venture will produce a boat that will fill a gap in the market and for which there is a huge demand,' said Cllr Mac Cotterell, Portfolio Holder with responsibility for the Port of Wisbech.

'It is fantastic that Fenland’s piloting experience in difficult waters is being used to the full to bring a new boat to the market. I am sure many local authorities who have responsibility for a port, as well as independent port authorities, will be very interested in checking out this craft.'