Norwegian Rig Shuttle AS has entered another contract with Maritime Partner AS in Aalesund for the delivery of a new fisheries inspection vessel to be used by the Norwegian Directorate of Fisheries.

The new boat is an Alusafe 2000 MPV (Multi Purpose Vessel) and will be sister ship to the Rind Lexo which Maritime Partner will deliver to NRS in December 2017.

This follows after NRS entered into a contract with the Norwegian Directorate of Fisheries for the operation of the inspection vessel. This contract has a duration of five years from mid 2018, as well as an option for continuation (1 + 1 year).

"We are very grateful that NRS yet again will be building another well-equipped boat with us," said Rune Midtkandal, Sales Manager of Maritime Partner.

The Alusafe 2000 MPV is a boat tailored to the needs of the Norwegian Directorate of Fisheries. The boat will operate primarily along the Norwegian coast within the four-nautical-mile fishing zone, and will be certified for coastal voyages. It is designed and built on a proven hull that has been used on a number of boats within the rescue and patrol sectors; a vessel suitable for both open sea and coastal waters.

The vessel will have a crew consisting of the captain from NRS, as well as two inspectors from the Norwegian Directorate of Fisheries.

The boat has accommodation capacity for a total of five people, and facilities such as galley, messroom, wardrobe and office. In addition, it is well equipped with MOB/work boat, ROV, drone, night camera, heating cables in deck and hand rails, crane, net hauler, as well as multiple boarding stations.

"This contract confirms the good cooperation we have with NRS. Together we have created a boat that effectively performs the work it is set to, while confirming our position as supplier of work boats with very good sea characteristics," says Rune Midtkandal.

The Norwegian Directorate of Fisheries operates in an area that extends along the entire coast from the Oslo Fjord to the Varangerfjord. Some of this coast line being famous for its harsh and treacherous nature. The boat from Maritime Partner and Norwegian Rig Shuttle is designed for operation in all weather and wind conditions throughout the Norwegian coast.

The cooperation with the yard has so far been very positive and we are looking forward to ordering more boats," said Kjetil Hantveit, general manager of Norwegian Rig Shuttle.

“The fact that Maritime Partner, like Norwegian Rig Shuttle, is Achilles approved was an important factor for us. It reflects that both the shipyard and we as a shipping company have a high focus on quality, delivery, and HSE”, Hantveit concluded.

By Jake Frith