Presented by Nigel Wilkinson – Managing Director &
John Woodburn – Operations Director – Windermere Lake Cruises Limited
Thursday 16th September 2021 @ 7.30pm
The Studio, The Forum, Barrow in Furness
BDAE Press Release: The Design & Construction of MV Swift
The project to build the largest vessel to enter service on Windermere in 80 years is the subject of Barrow & District Association of Engineers (BDAE) new season. Nigel Wilkinson, Managing Director of Windermere Lake Cruises, (who is also a graduate Engineer) and John Woodburn, Operations Director, will talk on this project, explaining how they overcame the difficulties of not only constructing a vessel in the confined spaces of a National Park with the access of a country lane but also during a pandemic. They will explain how a vessel capable of carrying 300 passengers was designed and fabricated in the Netherlands, constructed on a car park at Lakeside before being lifted into Windermere for outfitting and commissioning. The whole project from concept to delivery being completed in under 3 years
This vessel is a quantum leap from the earlier vessels which have been enjoyed by many over the decades. Gone is the large steering wheel replaced by two “joysticks”, the windows can now be demisted at the push of a button and diesel electric propulsion makes the cruiser the quietest ever. The vessel which is 34 metres long has disabled facilities and was delivered to its new owners by Damen Shipyards (Gorinchem) BV in October 2020. It has been claimed by passengers that “this is a real feat of engineering. It’s awesome”.
Nigel Wilkinson said “It’s a testament to all involved that we have reached this milestone and we would like to record our appreciation to all those who have played their part in the construction and delivery of this superb vessel. Particular thanks are due to the team at Damen Group, who designed and built the vessel, to James Fisher and Sons plc for their technical input and supervision and to our colleagues at Winander Leisure Limited and Windermere Lake Cruises Limited who have been involved in the project.
Mike Kittley of BDAE said “We are very pleased that Nigel and John will give this talk. We are all aware of the design constraints imposed on passenger vessels and the difficulties of construction in such a unique location”
This talk will take place @ 7.30pm on Thursday 16th September, 2021. In the Studio at The Forum in Barrow in Furness. The talk is free and available to all. Information on all BDAE events is available on the website: www.bdae.org.uk
