7.65 m Commando Operational Watercraft: Patrol Vessel

The Commando Operational Watercraft vessels were designed by Southerly Designs to an extraorindarily demanding specification. Part of this specification involved being air-portable by helicopter and fixed wing aircraft, as well as being able to be deployed by parachute. They also required a very high standard of seakeeping and the ability to operate onto, and off, surf beaches. The final tri-hull design incorporates a large waterplane area for carrying capacity, whilst also providing excellent static and dynamic stability and handling characteristics.

A central console has seating for two crew, and a further 8 removable seats for eight combat-equipped troops can be arranged throughout the vessel. A lightweight Steyr diesel producing 266hp drives a Hamilton waterjet and produces a top speed in excess of 30 knots. Operational speed, in sea state 3 – 4, is 20 knots and with 500 litres of fuel on board the range at operational speed is greater than 200 nautical miles.