When NEG Micon set up a wind turbine blade manufacturing facility at Newport on the Isle of Wight, John Pattisson Associates designed MTB BladeRunner One as well its specialised berthing and loading/unloading facilities at the River Medina factory and across the Solent at Berth 33 of Southampton Docks.

Size governs the output of wind turbines and as the units grow larger so have their blades.

MTB BladeRunner Two has been designed to carry blades up to 65m long to Berth 33, where they are stored for transhipment by freighters to sites in Japan, India, Australia, the USA and Europe.

The 75m LOA vessel has a 9.5m beam with a light displacement of 320 tonnes and an average working draught of 500 to 700 mm.

The flat-bottomed craft has no rudders or propellers and is thus able to navigate the shallow waters to her River Medina berth without damaging the inter-tidal mudlands which have statutory protection under UK and European habitats regulations.

Propulsion is thus provided by three Scania diesel engines driving Schottel low pressure Pump-Jets set into the bottom of the hull. This system provides total manoeuvrability.

MTBBladeRunner Two can run at angle in addition to forwards and backwards and is even capable of going sideways at 4.5 knots. On trials, the vessel made a crash stop from 9 knots to a halt in less than 20 seconds.

MTB BladeRunner Two 's schedule does not permit residency at seawork 's floating exhibition but it is hoped that the vessel will available for a demonstration sail past and inspection, probably on the afternoon on Wednesday 18 June.

MJ Information No: 18306