Home » Features » Vessel Build & Maintenance » Ship & Boatbuilding » South Boats goes large at Seawork

The company has been involved in building wind farm crew catamarans over the last five years, with a meteoric development rate to establish a range of wind farm vessels now covering 12m, 15m, 16m, 18m, 20m and 22m lengths and larger vessels on the way. The company has already delivered 23 crew vessels over the last 20 months and is set to increase to 25 per annum in the current financial year.

At Seawork 2010, the company debuted what is allegedly the worlds first DNV class built offshore wind farm vessel, Penrhos Bay. This South Catamaran 20m WFSV was built for Turbine Transfers Ltd. and will join the 10 South Catamarans already in the company’s fleet of wind farm service vessels. Turbine Transfers Ltd is a wholly owned subsidiary of Holyhead Towing Company Ltd, which was also exhibiting at Seawork.

Penrhos Bay is built to DNV 1A1-LC-R1/2-CREW to UK flag but is also in compliance with the German flag as it is heading to German waters for a long term contract post-acceptance. The 65 ton vessel is powered by twin MTU 10V2000M72 1,200hp main engines coupled to Ultra Dynamics UJ575 water jet units for sprint speeds in excess of 25 knots. With an 8.5m beam the vessel benefits from a spacious dual zone air conditioned saloon and wheelhouse area without compromising the working deck forward. The saloon features 14 KAB suspension seats (all with tables), two mess seating areas and a large galley, whilst the wheelhouse is a deck up with a spacious working environment for the skipper, engineer and crew. The forward deck area is 50m² and is fitted with the bow access platform, Palfinger deck crane and hydraulic anchor winch. Two under deck stores provide workshops and under deck dry storage areas.

MTS Vortex is a South Catamaran 18m WFSV that has been built for MTS Group Ltd. of Falmouth UK, a company usually associated for their towage and crew/agency works. This vessel is the first wind farm crew catamaran in the MTS vessel portfolio.

MTS Vortex is the third example of the 18m design but the first to be exhibited at Seawork, with the first two vessels already working in Denmark and Belgium. The vessel features a unique aft superstructure with half raised aft wheelhouse, which maximises the forward deck area and enables the crew saloon to have forward windows for visibility whilst underway. The air conditioned saloon features 12 KAB suspension seats (all with tables) a mess seating area, galley, immersion suit hanging area, kit bag storage area and separate aft store for wind farm components and general storage.

The wheelhouse can be accessed from the saloon or the aft working deck and has seating for three crew and a full width console complete with dual touch screen vessel monitoring and control systems. The vessel is powered by twin MTU 8V2000M72 965hp main engines coupled to Ultra Dynamics UJ525 water jet units for sprint speeds in excess of 25 knots. The 50m² forward working deck is fitted with the bow access platform, Palfinger deck crane and hydraulic anchor winch. An under-deck store provides a workshop and dry storage area.

The third vessel on show at Seawork 2010 was Gyrinus, a South Catamaran 11m Race Support Vessel built for The London Organising Committee of the Olympic Games & Paralympic Games Ltd. The vessel features an island wheelhouse with a modular GRP outfit comprising seating area, console and race control station. An observation deck has been fitted above with full width railings and seating along with repeater electronics on mobile pods from port to starboard. The 11m by 5m vessel is powered by twin FPT N60ENTM37 330hp main engines driving conventional shafts and propellers for speeds to 25 knots.