Seawork has been chosen as the venue for Blyth Workcats to launch a boat that promotes it into a new league of boatbuilding. The Blyth 17-metre is the largest to come from this long-established Essex boatyard and has been designed to supply the offshore energy sector with a practical and robust work boat capable of providing dependable day-to-day transport in all sea conditions.
Powered by two MAN D2848, 750hp engines, the new Blyth 17-metre can carry 12 passengers, two crew and six tonnes of cargo to offshore work locations at a cruising speed of over 20 knots. This capability is also expected to make it attractive for tourism and ferry passenger-carrying applications as the company also has an approved design for a version of the same boat with a capacity for up to 106 persons.
The new 17-metre boat incorporates the expertise accumulated during 30 years of business during which time Blyth Workcats has learned the importance of hull design in the success of a catamaran workboat. This is demonstrated with the new Blyth 17-metre which demonstrates the perfect balance of fine hull entry and carefully designed chines. These create a hull that performs well at all speeds and sea conditions yet remains capable of providing optimum fuel economy while carrying substantial loads.
The new Blyth 17-metre joins a range consisting of 10, 11, 12 and 14-metre catamarans that are built for wind farm support, surveying, dive support, passenger ferry, fishing charter or any of a wide range of workboat tasks. All are built from GRP in a single mould principle and customers quickly discovered that besides being less costly than metal hulls, GRP boats can be built to provide strength where it is needed and valuable weight savings wherever the design permits it. Hull lamination and construction is governed by meticulous quality control so the customer can benefit from a boat that has been tailored to fit their needs as well as a Saville Row suit.
Blyth Workcats owner care manager, Edward Tuite pointed out that a GRP Workcat enables customers to benefit in other ways. “Our GRP hulls are extremely strong and they keep their looks for many years. This is important for users in service sectors such as passenger transport or dive or angling charter. A smart appearance can be important for a business and with GRP any knocks or scrapes can be quickly repaired so the boat always looks well maintained and seaworthy,” he said. “The lower purchase price of GRP boats also benefits customers by helping their budgets to go further. This means that they can afford to invest in the more comfortable interior fittings and higher quality bridge technology that can help to attract more business.”
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Offshore WIND staff, May 29, 2012; Image: Blyth Workcats