19th February 2015, Cowes – Class-leading offshore energy crew transfer vessel operator Seacat Services today launches Seacat Courageous, the firm’s second 26-metre crew transfer vessel, as it continues to support the growth of the European offshore wind market.
The expectations of offshore wind developers and operators when it comes to crew transfer vessel availability, reliability and passenger comfort are continuing to increase as the industry matures. Concurrently, construction is commencing on large, deep-water project sites further from shore that demand high levels of seakeeping performance and greater capacity for both fuel and equipment.
Seacat Courageous, which will hit the water for the first time following an official naming ceremony this morning at the South Boats IOW yard in Cowes, is set to join sister vessel Seacat Intrepid in the nine-strong Seacat Services fleet.
With a near-identical specification to Intrepid, DNV-GL certified Courageous profits from the same unique three-year tank-testing programme at South Boats IOW that has brought a number of fundamental design innovations to the sector, further improving on the high standards set by the vessels before her.
These features are accompanied by a 26,000-litre fuel tank – allowing great flexibility in the number of operational hours that can be served at sea - and a larger foredeck to accommodate 20ft equipment containers.
“Since her launch in October last year, Seacat Intrepid has set a new standard for vessels servicing the offshore wind sector,” said Ian Baylis, Managing Director, Seacat Services. “Seacat Courageous will match that standard, further enhancing our offering in the waters of the North Sea, Baltic and the domestic UK market.”
“Today’s launch not only represents yet another milestone in the development of the Seacat Services fleet and our relationship with local boat builder South Boats, but also reaffirms the industry-leading position of UK firms in the offshore energy support vessel market.”
Once sea trials are complete, Seacat Courageous will head directly to her first deployment in the North Sea.
Earlier this month, Seacat Services confirmed a £6 million investment in two new 23-metre OESVs as it prepares for the next phase of European offshore wind construction.
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