Burgess Marine Completes New Wind Farm Support Vessel
Britain’s largest independent ship repairer Burgess Marine has successfully completed a £3m (4.7 Million USD) contract for the first of a new generation of offshore support vessels.
The company has built the craft for Mainprize Offshore at its shipyard at Trafalgar Wharf in Portchester, near Portsmouth, Hampshire, UK.
The 25-meter boat, the MO2, was delivered at the Seawork 2015 commercial marine and workboat 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 up to 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.
The MO2 is the first vessel to be completed under Burgess Marine’s groundbreaking Surebuild concept to make high quality and versatile boats at competitive prices for the offshore market.
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.
“The MO2 is one of the most advanced crafts of its kind in operation today with bespoke capabilities built into this vessel.
“Our Surebuild concept ensures a very low risk for the operator and a low but sustainable margin for us as the builder.
“Mainprize Offshore are a forward-thinking and like-minded business, with whom we are developing a strong relationship with benefits for the local economy and marine industry alike to help keep the UK as the world leader in offshore wind.”
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.
Bob Mainprize, who runs the family run firm with wife Sharon, said: “With MO2 and a second vessel, the MO4, we can potentially double the size of the business.
“MO2 has created 8 to 10 jobs and MO4 and further vessels will potentially create another 18 to 20 full time jobs.
“It will mean greater job security and allow us to gain more long term contracts.
“We will be able to outperform the rest of the market by doing so much more for the client for the same rate, and also bring the costs of offshore wind down.”
Bob added: “We really appreciate all of the outstanding professionalism, support and dedication of all at Burgess Marine for MO2, especially build manager Ric Haselhurst and fit-out manager Jim Mair.”
MO2 has been built with 70% more deck space than a boat of the equivalent size, allowing it to carry six 20ft containers – well above the standard two for similar vessels.
The load includes a decompression3 unit, dry storage space and equipment - adding up to 23 tons of deck cargo.
With a hull built to the meet the exacting insurance standards of Lloyds, the vessel can carry a total of 65 tons and its fuel capacity has been increased from the standard 35,000 liters to 50,000 liters.
As well as carrying up to 15 dive personnel, the MO2 will carry 20,000 liters of freshwater for domestic and firefighting uses.
Manned by three to six crew, the MO2 has a Marine Automation Propulsion Ltd (MAP) integrated bridge system with Furuno technology including four 32” screens and two 24” screens for navigation and monitoring purposes, including radar and CCTV.
It has an overall length of 25.2m, beam of 9.5m and is powered by Caterpillar C32 engines which allow it to reach speeds of more than 30kts.
Work on MO4 is due to start in August following the official signing of the paperwork at Seawork.
Greater Gabbard is a 504 MW wind farm 23km off the coast of Lowestoft, Suffolk, which opened in August 2013.
The £1.6bn (2.5 Billion USD) development’s 140 turbines are capable of delivering enough renewable energy for about 530,000 homes annually.
The UK is the world leader in offshore wind. The sector supports 13,000 direct and indirect jobs.
The products and services herein described in this press release are not endorsed by The Maritime Executive.