Latest Seacat launch marks new design phase

Seacat Services longstanding relationship with British boat builder, South Bots IoW, has enabled the company to develop and refine a proven and well-established design.

This comes as the offshore wind industry moves to larger crew transfer vessels and sees the continuing development of DNV GL class classification standards for offshore energy support vessels (OESVs).

“As the European offshore wind market continues to evolve with a need for larger vessels and more stringent guidelines, we are constantly looking at ways in which this evolution can be incorporated into the design of our workboats,” said Ian Baylis, managing director, Seacat.

“We now have one of the largest crew transfer vessels ready for deployment to European offshore wind projects, which, with its latest bow and fender design, should make the transportation of engineers and equipment a safer and increasingly comfortable process,” he added.

The new bow and fender design enhances stability when the vessel is pushing onto the wind turbine foundation. Further modifications to the design include additional crew loading and access space near the bow, to help accommodate the engineer’s equipment.

Accommodating 12 windfarm technicians and three crew the aluminium-hulled catamaran is propelled by twin Rolls-Royce water jets and is capable of carrying 20 tonnes of equipment – 15 tonnes forward and five tonnes aft. With a sprint speed of just under 30 knots, Seacat Ranger will be deployed for operational use on offshore windfarms throughout Europe.

Prior to active service, Seacat Ranger will be on show at Mercator Media Ltd’s Seawork International, taking place at ABP’s Port of Southampton from 10 to 12 June 2014.

By Rachael Doyle