More Seawork signings for South Boats
South Boats Special Projects had another impressively good Seawork last week, signing a contract for a further two boats on the last day of the show.
Both are to be 15m alloy wind farm support boats. One will be going to Turbine Transfers Ltd, the other will be going to Iceni Marine Services and will be the second boat of this type for Iceni.
The two vessels will be water jet propelled with twin Scania DI12 engines rated at 650hp for the Iceni boat and DI16s rated at 748hp for Turbine Transfers. Both sets of engines will be driving Ultra Dynamics Ultrajet waterjets through Twin Disc MGX QuickShift transmissions for maximum low down thrust when holding station at wind farm turbines.
The fenders are the MK IV type specially developed wind farm applications and work alongside a strong box section bow platform that has a sprung fastening for ‘give’ when landing and a built out ‘nib’ that fits between the boat landing piles, all helping to keep the boat in place against the tower. The nib also provides a shorter step off distance to the ladder of the wind turbine tower.
The boats will accommodate 12 passengers be capable of some 25 to 27 knots light loaded, with a cruising speed of 20 to 22 knots.
The 15m LOA craft, with a 6.3m beam, both have an aft wheelhouse construction which gives the vessel all important foredeck capacity for a large, stable working platform which can also be used to carry up to 5,000kg in weight.
To be named Iceni Courage, Iceni’s boat includes a hydraulic jet wash at the bow for cleaning access ladders and wind turbine monopiles. To make this vessel as multipurpose as possible, a fuel delivery system has been designed and fitted so the boat can refuel portable generators on the WTG’s and sub stations after the crew transfers have taken place.
As with Iceni’s existing 15m South Cat Iceni Spirit, the new vessels main diesel tanks will have increased capacity and pumps which can achieve a 40m head of pressure fitted below deck, saving space on deck. These are hard piped to the bow of the vessel where a 30m hose reel and digital flow metre controls the output to the generators.
Both boats will have the usual South Boats Special Projects stability which is particularly important for wind farm support work, especially as the technicians in transit are often not mariners and delivering green energy support is most effective when not delivering green technicians to the turbines.
Following Seawork, South Boats has signed further contracts which take the sum signed as a result of the company’s presence at Seawork 2010 to £5.32m. Needless to say, South Boats will be back with two more newbuilds at Seawork 2011.
