On Friday 27th January, following successful sea trials in Southampton Water, the latest South Boats 17m LS WFSV ‘Iceni Defiant’ was handed over to Iceni Marine Services Ltd, based in Great Yarmouth.
Prior to the vessel commencing work on the Great Gabbard Offshore Wind Farm on 1st February, ‘Iceni Defiant’ will be sailed up the River Thames on Monday 30th January and moored at St. Katherine’s Dock, Tower Bridge.
The vessel will then be the focus of an industry event organised jointly by South Boats and Iceni Marine Services.
Amongst those attending this event will be the city banks and finance houses who help to fund the construction of such vessels, the main energy companies, Scottish & Southern Energy who have given it its first contract, Scania, the engine suppliers and Rolls Royce the water jet suppliers.
South Boats Customer Finance Manager, Peter Curtis comments: “Today is a great opportunity for the financial community to understand the huge opportunities available in the offshore wind sector and to see first hand the quality of South Boats’ aluminium catamaran work boats. We are delighted that Ken Turner and the team at Iceni Marine Services were able to bring their latest vessel Iceni Defiant into the heart of the City of London for such a unique event.”
The Iceni Defiant is a South Catamaran 17m WFSV LS custom designed to fit the locks at Grimsby and is the third vessel constructed for Iceni Maritime Services by South Boats whilst the fourth, Iceni Pride is a 13m Fast Response Vessel, currently under construction for Iceni at the South Boats yard and will be launched on the 18th March 2012.
Due to the success of Iceni’s business, Iceni & South Boats are delighted to announce an order for two South Catamaran 24m WFSV’s. Ben Colman, South Boats Sales & Technical Director says “We are delighted to extend our relationship with Ken, Richard & Guy at Iceni Marine Services and look forward to fulfilling this new contract and marking a milestone in the success of both company’s past and future ambitions”.
Further information concerning the specification of the Iceni Defiant and the new order from Iceni Marine Services will be released shortly.
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Offshore WIND staff, January 30, 2012; Image: southboats