UK: Iceni Marine Orders Four Wind Farm Crew Transfer Vessels

South Boats Special Projects Ltd. and Iceni Marine Services Ltd., announced that the two companies have signed a contract for the construction of four further vessels to join the existing South Boats built ‘Iceni Spirit’, ‘Iceni Courage’, ‘Iceni Defiant’ and ‘Iceni Pride’. The order is substantial for both South Boats and Iceni and demonstrates a commitment from both companies to follow the changing and ever more demanding requirements of utility companies and their primary contractors.

The order is for 2 x South Catamaran 24m WFSV’s to be named ‘Iceni Victory’ and ‘Iceni Fighter’, 1x19m WFSV Lock Special vessel to be named ‘Iceni Vengeance’ and a further 13m vessel to be named ‘Iceni Legend’.

Both of the 24m vessels will be built under survey to DNV +1A1 HSLC R2 Wind Farm Service 1 class and UK MCA Workboat Code Category 1 flag. The vessels are fitted with twin MTU 12V2000M72 1450hp main engines coupled to Rolls Royce 56A3 water jet units for sprint speeds in excess of 28 knots and very impressive bollard push. The vessels are to be delivered during April and November 2013.

The South Catamaran 19m GL WFSV is a new vessel designed to the requirements of Iceni and another operator. The design criteria was to produce a vessel was tailored to meet the non-class requirement within the UK, a vessel that featured high performance, reduced fuel consumption, higher levels of passenger comfort all coupled to the usual highlights and benefits expected from a South Catamaran such as superior sea-keeping, unrivalled build quality and class leading cargo carrying capabilities. This series is powered by twin MAN V12-1200hp main engines coupled to Rolls Royce FF600 water jets for sprint speeds approaching 30 knots.

The South Catamaran 13m RRV WFSV is a similar vessel to the ‘Iceni Pride’, delivered a few months ago, with some minor alterations that is being built to fulfil a 5 year O&M contract. Propulsion is identical to the earlier vessel with twin Caterpillar C9 510hp engines and Hamilton HJ364 water jet units for sprint speeds approaching 30 knots.

Ben Colman of South Boats is quoted as saying “I am delighted to announce this significant order and to continue the strong relationship that South Boats has built up with Iceni Marine Services over the lastthree years. Iceni Marine have shown strong growth and have assisted us with our vessel development programme, providing excellent owner/operator feedback. On behalf of all at South Boats, I very much look forward to working with Iceni through this project and, of course, to start planning the next one!”

Ken Turner of Iceni Marine Services is quoted as saying “South Cats are superb vessels and we have had our enormous success because of their abilities to meet ever stringent requirements from the Wind Farm Constructors and Operators. The new boats complement our range on vessels so that we can offer a complete service to our customers. We are also working with South Boats to ensure we have the right boats to handle the special requirements of Round 3 from 2015.”

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Shipbuilding Tribune Staff, May 18, 2012; Image: southboatsgroup