Engines powering new, innovative workboats for Royal Navy proudly built in Bicester by Barrus

Published on: 05/09/2017

E. P. Barrus Ltd has been awarded the engine supply contract by Atlas Elektronik UK (AEUK) who will build the £48 million next-generation Royal Navy workboats including those supporting Britain’s flagship carrier, HMS Queen Elizabeth.

Appointed by the MoD as the Prime Contractor and Integrator for the project, Atlas Elektronik UK will supply up to 38 workboats and an extended programme of In-Service Support from 2018 until 2024. Barrus’s relationship with AEUK extends almost ten years working as consultants and suppliers of marine engines for projects including unmanned and autonomous craft applications.

Ranging in size from 11 to 18 metres, the multi-role ‘SEA Class’ range of vessels will all be fitted with Yanmar marine diesel engines from 350hp to 1000hp, prepared in Barrus’s custom-engine build facility in Bicester, Oxfordshire to AEUK agreed specifications. In addition, Barrus will provide AEUK with specialist engineering support including a comprehensive training programme, service support and technical expertise over a six year period. The contract will help to secure future engineering roles and apprenticeships within the company.

Developed in response to a demand for safe, reliable and flexible boats that can be rapidly reconfigured for a number of different naval operational roles, the ‘SEA Class’ range will perform tasks including diver training, explosive ordnance disposal, officer training, passenger transport, Antarctic exploration, hydrographic survey and logistic re-supply.

“We are very proud to have been selected by Atlas Elektronik UK to provide the propulsion systems and engineering support for these cutting-edge workboats, in this, our centennial year,” commented David Etherington-Smith, Sales Manager for the Special Products Division at Barrus. “This builds on our success with the supply of earlier versions of these Yanmar engines and ensures a continuity and commonality with current in-service engines within the MoD fleet.”

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