I have been the owner/operator of this boat for the last 30 years and have been operating out of the port of Folkestone and Dover for all of that time.I hold an RYA Certificate for Coastal Skipper plus a Boat Master’s Licence issued by the Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA). I am also a Registered Pilot of the Channel Swimmers Association (CSA).
Pathfinder is an Offshore 105, (10.5 meters in length), and is moored in the port of Dover. In 2018 a new engine was fitted which complies with the European exhaust emissions and a new gearbox was then fitted in 2019. Fully loaded it will cruise at 15 knots and is licensed to carry a total of 12 (passengers and crew). The boat is maintained to a high standard and ready to go 24/7.
Pathfinder complies with the MCA in all aspects of safety equipment and is a Cat 3 coded vessel. The vessel carries full safety equipment and is fitted with the latest electronic navigation equipment as required by the MCA. A full MCA approved first aid kit plus a defibrillator is carried onboard which both I, and my crewman, have been First Aid at Sea trained.
There is a large deck space at the stern, with a forward cabin. On the deck there is a W.C. for customers use which is also large enough to act as a changing room giving privacy for swimmers when getting changed. In the cabin there is a microwave for heating up pre prepared food and a gas ring for boiling a kettle. There is also an oven but please bear in mind that there are no cooking pots or pans or running water (bottled water only). With low gunnels it is easy to pass feeds to the swimmer and the swimmer will not feel like they are swimming alongside a block of flats.