Mainprize handover

The 25-metre boat, the MO2, was delivered at the Seawork 2015 commercial marine and workboat show and conference in Southampton when Mainprize Offshore also signed a contract with Burgess Marine for a second vessel.

Sharon Mainprize, who runs the company with Bob Mainprize, signed the paperwork with Burgess Marine managing director Nick Warren on the Burgess Marine stand on the opening day of the annual industry event at ABP’s port of Southampton.

Mainprize Offshore expects to create upto 30 new jobs in total with the potential for more from future builds.

It will immediately place MO2 into charter service on the day of its handover for dive inspection work on the Greater Gabbard wind farm off Lowestoft in Suffolk.

Burgess Marine stepped into the breach after Buckie Shipyard on the Moray Firth in Scotland went into administration before completing the boat.

John Rennardson, Burgess Marine technical commercial manager, said: “Given that this was not a straightforward build, it is a pleasure to see MO2 enter service.

Mainprize, which has 20 staff, will manage and operate the MO2 on a three month contract to transfer personnel and equipment to the Greater Gabbard field for a dive contractor to carry out inspections.

The vessel has been built with 70% more deck space than a boat of the equivalent size, which Burgess Marine claims will allow it to carry six 20ft containers – well above the standard two for similar vessels.

By Jake Frith