THE Solent may well see its own fleets of riverboat and water taxi services if the area’s economy continues to expand.

That was the prediction of the co-founder of London’s successful MBNA Thames Clippers, Sean Collins, after taking delivery of the first of a new range of boats that have been built on the Isle of Wight.

“Although the setting up of a taxi-style water service in the area would be difficult at present, I can see that being a possibility if the area’s economy continues to expand, especially on the Isle of Wight,” commented Sean.

The newest addition to London’s river bus transport network started its almost 200 nautical mile maiden journey to the Capital from the Island yesterday.

Joining the MBNA Thames Clippers fleet, Mercury Clipper, is the first of two new boats that will enter service in London this summer.

The Clipper fleet has expanded rapidly and is poised to launch new services to the newly developed Battersea area of the city later this year with new piers and routes planned for the next few years along the Thames.

Six members of crew – with over 80 years of combined experience between them – carried out the 12-hour journey, at an average speed of 20 knots. Travelling along the English coast, the boat sailed past landmarks including Spinnaker Tower at Gunwharf Quays, Brighton Pier and the White Cliffs of Dover to its home at Trinity Buoy Wharf in east London.

The two new 172 capacity passenger boats (Mercury Clipper and Jupiter Clipper), a £6.3 million investment in London’s port and transport infrastructure, have been built at the Wight Shipyard Co Ltd.

With the order, MBNA Thames Clippers, who previously had their boats built in Australia, has set the record for the largest fast ferry order for a UK ship yard in over 20 years with non-government backed funding.

“It was our ambition to find a boat-builder nearer to home and I’m delighted we have been able to achieve this,” added Sean.

Mercury Clipper and Jupiter Clipper took 10 months to build, creating over 75 new jobs across the Isle of Wight and London, including the hiring of two dedicated apprentices and engagement with over 100 local suppliers from across the South of England.

Mercury Clipper will enter service late June with Jupiter Clipper making the journey from the Isle of Wight and entering service by early August 2017.