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The Paddle Cruiser, the first paddle-powered cruiser to have been built in South Africa, may look like a traditional craft, but she is a decidedly modern and advanced luxury vessel which exceeds the highest standards of safety set by the South African Maritime Safety Authority.
"The Paddle Cruiser will make it possible for the Featherbed Company to serve the top end of the market with quality dining, special occasions, launches and small conferencing facilities which will compliment what the John Benn and Featherbed offer."
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"We decided to build the Paddle Cruiser about three years ago, to ensure continuity in the event of the John Benn needing major down time for upgrading," says owner William Smith. "All boats have a specific lifespan, but recent surveys have shown that the John Benn is in very good shape with many active years left to continue her classic lagoon cruises.
Design:
The Paddle Cruiser was built on the same hull mould used by the South African Navy for its high-speed torpedo boats. The Paddle Cruiser's hull has been widened for extra stability.
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The ship's horn has been "specially designed to bring the sounds of shipping back to the forgotten port of Knysna," says Smith. "We used to hear hooters like that echoing across the hills in the days before they closed the harbour here," he adds, wistfully.
Environmental Considerations: Heat exchangers prevent salt water from coming into contact with the engines. Dry exhausts discharge into the air rather than the water. Sewerage and waste water are stored in massive holding tanks and disposed of via the normal channels when the vessel is moored
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