Cape Town-based shipbuilder Veecraft Marine has contracted Australia’s Incat Crowther for the design of a 20-meter monohull workboat for the South African Special Forces.

The vessel will be tasked with the transportation of personnel and equipment and supporting training activities in coastal areas up to 10 miles off the coast under inclement weather conditions often experienced in the area.

The main deck features a forward deckhouse with wheelhouse above and a 25 square meter aft cargo deck.

The deckhouse is fitted with galley and mess areas along with two bathrooms and a deck locker accessible from the cargo deck. The wheelhouse is arranged for 360-degree visibility, including an unobstructed view of the cargo deck.

The cargo deck of the aluminum vessel is able to accommodate a 6-meter ISO container and is also fitted with a 5t marine crane. A foldable dive platform is fitted aft of the transom along with stairs integrated into the main deck to provide safe access. Below deck includes two 7.5 cubic meter cargo holds with access hatches above, engine room, fuel and water tanks, and a crew accommodation space.

The crew accommodation features three staterooms each with three bunks for a total capacity of twelve crew members. Other notable features include a robust fendering system and heavy towing bollards on each end of the vessel. The vessel will be powered by two MAN D2862 LE431 marine engines and have a service speed of 16 knots at a deadweight load of 20 tons.

The vessel will be the sixteenth Incat Crowther vessel built by Veecraft in less than a decade.