Fletcher Eyes Offshore Renewables

Platform supply vessel operator, Fletcher, is said to be looking into services expansion following ROV operations and boulder clearance for the renewables industry.

The diversification process sees Colin Millum brought in to head up the technical team, amongst other new recruits.

Fletcher will provide seabed preparation service, including survey and boulder clearance, UXO identification and de-risk and cable intervention.

According to Fletcher, this business model should make ‘dramatic savings’ for the industry. It involves using the company’s platform supply vessels rather than diver/ROV vessels in combination with its own ROV, the Zodiac TT, which does a number of tasks including surveying the sea bed, clearing it and then protecting the cables which have been laid.

Keith Fletcher, managing director, said: “The novel method of combining our own dynamically positioned supply vessel with our own technology for seabed preparation offers the industry much needed efficiencies and genuine cost reduction.”

Mike Porter, operations director, added: “Fletcher will be employing people traditionally working in oil and gas, giving them an opportunity to transfer to renewables. We are building the UKs ability to service wind farm contracts across offshore Europe. Renewables is an exciting new part of Aberdeen and the UKs future as an Energy hub.”