Meercat Workboats and WaterMota set for Seawork

Meercat Workboats’ latest newbuild,

Wiltango,

was launched in Southampton as last month’s winter storms were sweeping the operations base for operator (and fellow Seawork exhibitors) Williams Marine Shipping with snow, sleet and hailstones. Transport to the site was arranged by Williams’ own transport section.Wiltango’s hull sections were connected for the first time afloat. The vessel’s unique design enables operators to mobilise it anywhere in the country or abroad on very short notice. Trailer transport by road keeps mobilization costs low and the 24 ton maximum lift required can be performed by most site cranes. The vessel is the second for Williams Shipping Marine Ltd and again features Doosan engines supplied by WaterMota.

The new Wiltango is a twin hulled Meercat, similar to the successful prototype, Wilkit, which is currently on long term charter in Jordan. Wiltango will also have a Palfinger 23500MC marine crane installed.

The Meercat is available in either two or three hulled versions, although the latter can also be operated as a two hulled unit as required. The central third hull enables greater load carrying capacity and can also be fitted out with a moonpool for hydro survey work.

Meercat Workboats is already into production for its next vessel their next vessel, which will feature the more powerful Doosan 136TI engines. It is available for purchase and, dependent upon the client’s specification, will be available for delivery in July of this year.

WaterMota, meanwhile, has secured its first order for a pair of Doosan 4V222TIH heavy duty engines for a 16m tug designed by Macduff Ship Design which will be built by Macduff Shipyard.

The vessel has been ordered by the family firm of John Mcloughlin and Son, which WaterMota first met at Seawork 2007, and will operate in the Port of Larne, Port of Belfast and in Belfast Lough when delivered in September.

The vessel will be capable of towing, pushing, plough dredging, general harbour work, personnel transfers and pilot duties. Classed to MCA Category 2, the boat will be equipped for a crew of two and four supernumeraries.

With a length overall of 16m, beam of 6.2m and draft of 2.9m, it will carry 11,000 litres of fuel, 215 litres of fresh water and 2,000 litres of water ballast.

The main engines will be two Doosan 4V222 TIH units coupled to Twin Disc MGX 5222DC gearboxes with ratios of 6.1:1 and QuickShift controls. Driving 1,700mm diameter fixed pitch propellers in fixed nozzles, it will have a bollard pull of 20 tons. A WaterMota supplied, Doosan powered auxiliary engine rated at 20kW will provide single phase power.

The tow hook will comprise a Mampaey DCX 18 / 25 DISK type with a test load of 50 tons. he vessel will also be fitted with a 7 ton winch for gog rope and plough duties, a hydraulic anchor windlass and a Guerra 60.90 MZ crane rated at 6 t/m.