Colombo Dockyard PLC delivered a passenger launch built for the Northern Provincial Council last week.
The vessel, Neduntharakai, capable of transporting 80 passengers will be deployed to transfer civilians from Kurikadduvan jetty of the Jaffna peninsula to Delft Island, a distance of 8-9 nautical miles (one way).
Colombo Dockyard PLC Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer, D.V. Abeysinghe said the Colombo Dockyard considers it a national obligation to assist in the development of the maritime transportation infrastructure in Sri Lanka and are ready to pledge very special concessionary terms and conditions to fulfil the local requirement.
This steel-hulled launch has good stability and excellent sea keeping qualities and shall be able to operate in rough weather unlike fibre-glass hulled boats. The launch has been designed and built considering the low water depths prevailing in the operational areas, so that it could traverse easily.
The launch has been built to Indian Register of Shipping Classification Society requirements.