UK: South Boats Delivers New Crew Transfer Vessel to P&O Maritime

P&O Maritime, together with South Boats Special Projects Ltd., announcse the delivery of the latest addition to the P&O Maritime crew transfer vessel fleet; ‘Chinook’ This multi-purpose crew transfer vessel was designed by Incat Crowther, Australia and built by South Boats at Cowes on the Isle of Wight.

The vessel has successfully completed sea trials and has been delivered to London Array offshore wind farm. The third vessel in the crew transfer vessel fleet, ‘Chinook’ demonstrates P&O Maritime’s commitment to become a leading player in the European offshore renewables industry.

South Boats has for many years been committed to the offshore renewables industry and has carved an enviable reputation, globally, as the leading builder of wind farm crew transfer vessels. With 75 vessels in service and build, a wealth of experience and feedback has to led to innovative developments that continue to ensure that clients receive class leading vessels with the highest levels of quality and reliability.

The first vessel in the P&O Maritime crew transfer vessel fleet ‘Santa Ana’ has successfully performed operations on Greater Gabbard, London Array and Thornton Bank offshore wind farms. In December 2011, ‘Scirocco’ became the second addition to the P&O Maritime fleet and is currently operating at Thornton Bank.

P&O Maritime’s crew transfer vessel design offers a range of ‘value-add’ features and therefore a significantly increased utility throughout the life of offshore wind projects. These multi-purpose vessels were specifically designed for the European offshore renewables market and incorporate high levels of fuel efficiency, extended operating windows and additional survey and maintenance capabilities.

P&O Maritime’s 50 years’ experience as a maritime service provider ensures that it can offer developers, operators and turn-key providers a well-managed, cost-effective and efficient solution in various aspects of the offshore renewables industry.

In addition to the crew transfer vessel services, P&O Maritime also operates a fleet of specialised vessels which support a range of activities within the European offshore renewables market. The multi-purpose cable-laying vessel ‘European Supporter’ has recently completed conversion works at A&P, Tyne. This 106m DP2 vessel can provide offshore cable installa- tion solutions and DP2 construction support along with inspection, maintenance and repair solutions. Research and Survey services are provided by the ‘RV Prince Madog’ through a joint venture between P&O Maritime and Bangor University, Wales.

This 34m multi-purpose research vessel is equipped with an array of specialised survey equipment including a newly installed multi-beam echo-sounder. The vessel can provide a range of survey services including hydro-acoustic, geophysical, seismic, oceanographic, environmental and ROV surveys.

P&O Maritime is committed to developing the Offshore Renewable division and have plans to increase the crew transfer vessel fleet over the coming years. P&O Maritime is also developing concept vessel solutions specifically tailored to meet the requirements of the Operations and Maintenance phase of offshore wind farms.

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World Maritime News Staff, February 9, 2012; Image: South Boats