Fast action for South Cats licensee
Kileen Dawn is expected to be the flagship of GRP Laminates’ presence at Seawork 2012.
GRP Laminates of Cowes on the UK’s Isle of Wight has won orders for three South Cat designs within weeks of reaching an exclusive, worldwide agreement for the manufacture and marketing of those designs.
GRP Laminates, the manufacturing arm of Tiger Marine, has been responsible for moulding the South Boats South Cats GRP range for some years and has now taken over finishing and fit-out, enabling South Boats to concentrate on its aluminium vessel range.
The orders include a 12m commercial charter workboat and leisure diving vessel for Divers Down of Swanage, the hull and mould set for a 13m rapid response vehicle for Iceni Marine Services’ wind farm support fleet, and a 14m wind farm transfer vessel for Coastal Zone Services. The latter vessel is scheduled for completion in May 2012 and is expected to be the flagship of GRP Laminates’ presence at Seawork. The company picked a Seawork Innovations Showcase award this year for its MSV Explorer.
Named Kileen Dawn, the vessel is to be powered by twin Iveco C9 550hp diesels driving TwinDisc gearboxes, giving a cruising speed of 23 knots and a top speed of 27 knots. With the personnel transfer equipment specified, the vessel can operate in significant wave heights up to 1.5m.
The spacious accommodation provides for 12 suspension seats, with a flexible arrangement that can encompass a surveying layout. Additional features include a moonpool, dive ladder and provision for a crane. The flybridge, with viewing platform and three station electronic controls, ensures flexibility of operation. Kileen Dawnwill operate in Clew Bay, off Ireland’s Atlantic coast, and in British waters.
“We selected the South Cat 14m from GRP Laminates after extensive research visiting a number of yards to find the right vessel for our needs, said Niall O’Boyle, operations coordinator of Coastal Zone Services, which is based in Newport, Co. Mayo. “They impressed us particularly with the standard of build, their attitude and understanding of our fit-out requirements.”
Reviewing the first four months since being awarded the licence to build and market the South Cats range, GRP Laminates’ managing director Mark Gulessarian said, “We are delighted by the reaction to this new development in our company’s activities. These early orders for South Cats are a clear indication that composite moulded catamarans remain an attractive option for both the offshore renewables and commercial fishing industries.”
2012 is expected to be a milestone year for GRP Laminates. The London Olympics Committee vessel, jointly commissioned from the yard and South Boats Special Projects, will feature in the world’s media coverage of the Olympic yacht racing, taking place off Weymouth.
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