TESTING and commissioning of a new patrol boat for Windermere is currently being carried out by South Lakeland District Council's lakes wardens' service.

Wardens are responsible for the management and administration of the moorings and encroachments, including more than 1,000 swinging moorings, and look after and manage the licensing of hire craft.

They also provide powerboat training for a number of other agencies, including the fire service, police and National Trust, as well as giving water safety advice to schoolchildren and supporting events on the lake.

The new Delta Typhoon New Generation Waterjet patrol boat is due to come into service at Easter for the start of the new season.

It will replace the former patrol boat which has done more than 10 years of service. This is a budgeted replacement and is expected to offer 10 to 15 years’ service.

The lake wardens act as agents of the Maritime and Coastguard Agency and the specification for the new boat was drawn up in consultation with the coastguard to ensure it fulfils their standards.

The new boat is larger and more manoeuvrable than the one it replaces and can carry more equipment.

It is also fitted with a satellite navigation system and on board equipment that will allow it to carry out surveys of the lake bed to accurately map contours and depths to ensure records are updated.