Merre to build research and patrol boat

French shipyard Société des Établissements Merré has won a tender of the French Office for Biodiversity to design and build a maritime research and patrol boat. The vessel will be operated in the Martinique Marine Natural Park in the Caribbean.

The boat will undertake work including scienti­fic research into water quality, oceanography plus surveillance and security patrols and diving support. Powered by two 300-hp Mercury engines the vessel will reach a speed of 30 knots. It will also be equipped with a dynamic positioning system and solar panels to ensure a level of energy autonomy.