Meercat workboat for Guernsey Harbours

The Meercat M15 is a 15.6m multirole vessel featuring a new side wheelhouse configuration, which will be built at Meercat Boats’ design and build facility in the Port of Southampton.

Jim Mair, Technical Manager of Meercat Boats commented, “Guernsey Harbours’ tender was extremely challenging due to the complexity of the multiple tasks that the workboat is expected to undertake. The wide variety of onboard equipment, combined with exacting performance requirements will certainly make her an incredibly versatile vessel.

He continued. “As well as Meercat’s broad portfolio of proven workboat designs on offer, our main differentiator is our unrivalled ability to work with our customers in order to fully tailor a vessel to their specific needs.”

The Head of Technical & Estate Services for Guernsey Harbours, Martyn Stanfield, said, “The new workboat will provide a modern, safe and highly manoeuvrable working platform, with the addition of increased deck space and crane capacity, to carry out a wide range of duties. The design of the vessel will provide improved safety and comfort for our maintenance team. It will be ready for a wide range of tasks, including towage, equipment transportation, infrastructure repairs, beacon and buoy maintenance and commercial diving activities. The ability to be able to work closely with the design team at Meercat will enable us to achieve the right vessel for the ever-demanding role that is required now and for the future of Guernsey Harbours.”

Built to Category 3, the steel Meercat M15 will accommodate 3 crew and 12 passengers in her side wheelhouse, designed to provide greater deck access for cargo and enhanced visibility.

The M15 will be powered by twin 450hp Doosan 4L126Tih engines. She will feature a 4t deck winch, four 2t capstans, a 25tm crane, pot hauler, towing hook, fire monitor and bow thruster. The vessel also boasts a substantial 28t deck cargo carrying capacity together with a 10 tonne bollard pull; making her ideally suited to the variety of the harbours’ operations.

Delivery of the M15 is due in 2019.

Visit Meercat Boats at Seawork International 2019 on stand PB40