By way of background I am a Chartered Mechanical Engineer, a Fellow of the Institution of Mechanical Engineers and a member of the Royal Institution of Naval Architects, and now happily retired after an interesting career that included working in the marine industry. First pioneered by C W F Hamilton and Co of New Zealand and manufactured and developed under licence by Dowty Marine Ltd in the UK and Canada, Dowty became a major producer of water jet propulsion systems. As well as the history and development of the Turbocraft I developed an interest in other applications of Dowty water jet marine propulsion systems. My early love of boating as a boy was kindled by the Dowty Turbocraft, and I retain a great affection for what was a pioneering application of water jet marine propulsion.
