UK: Offshore Marine Support Secures Slot for 17m WFSP at South Boats

Offshore Marine Support Ltd. announce that it has entered into an agreement to secure a build slot for a South Catamaran 17m Wind Farm Support Vessel to be built by South Boats Special Projects Ltd. on the Isle of Wight.

The South Catamaran 17m WFSV is a unique vessel with capabilities well beyond its size. The ‘Charlotte J’ has been specifically designed to maximise performance, crew comfort and cargo carrying capabilities.

To achieve this, the ‘Charlotte J’ has an LOA of 17.6m, Beam of 6.3m, Draught of 0.95m and a lightship displacement of 33 tonnes. The deck and topside structure is extended aft over the water jets to provide full protection in confined operating areas. The vessel is configured with an aft of centre wheelhouse providing a 30m2 forward deck capable of carrying up to 5 tonnes of construction and O&M equipment coupled to a 24m2 aft deck capable of carrying a further 2 tonnes of equipment.

Powered by twin Caterpillar C18 885mhp diesel engines and coupled to Rolls Royce FF500 water jet units the vessel will be capable of a sprint speed in excess of 26 knots and is capable of cruising at speeds in excess of 22 knots in departure condition.

Offshore Marine Support Ltd, has had success in Offshore Wind and renewables with its current vessel “Mabel Alice”. Andy Iannetta of Offshore Marine Support says “having worked on Greater Gabbard, Galloper and Rampion wind farms, providing services to SSE, E.ON, Natural Power, and Natural England, our new vessel will provide us with the ability to support O & M as well as bird and mammal surveys. Working with South Boats and Caterpillar has enabled what I believe to be the best combination of boat and engine possible! The ‘Charlotte J’ is due to be launched later this year and I welcome enquiries from interested charter parties for her!”

South Boats continues to build 25 wind farm crew transfer vessels per annum and the new generation 13m, 16m, 17m, 19m, 24m and 30m designs are now populating the range. All of the new generation vessels feature modular superstructures, integrated systems, options for secondary access systems and new bow fender system. With 5 years experience building 58 wind farm vessels for 15 operators, and having worked on over 25 projects there is no doubt that South Boats catamarans remain the vessel of industry choice.

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Offshore WIND staff, May 01, 2012; Image: southboatsgroup