Tidal secured an operational contract with the windfarm operators, Greater Gabbard Offshore Wind Ltd (GGOWL), earlier this month – worth £300,000.
The Ginny Louise will transfer workers from Lowestoft to the Greater Gabbard site off the Suffolk coast in a contract lasting for five months.
It is the first major job for the vessel, delivered at the end of last month by Spanish boatbuilder’s Mercurio Plastic. Both companies were involved in the design of the new vessel.
This is the first vessel in a fleet of ten to be delivered – the second vessel, Ginny’s twin, the Eden Rose, is due for delivery in the next few months in time for Seawork. Last year Tidal shared a stand at Seawork with Mercurio and they’re back again this year.
The vessels are innovative because they negate the need for having separate service vessels for crew transfer and servicing Tidal say. The Ginny Louise is multi functional and can be an effective supply vessel, dive station and offshore base when needed.
Leo Hambro, commercial director at Tidal Transit, said to Maritime Journal: “The Gabbard contract is the first major job for Ginny. The vessel is innovative because of its GRP hull design – recognised by the industry and proven by the award of this contract.”
Mr Hambro added: “Having the vessel on the water at Seawork this year is a chance for Tidal to promote its operations to the offshore windfarm industry and for Mercurio to demonstrate its abilities in innovative boatbuilding to a new market.”
