South Boats Isle Of Wight, the UK’s class-leading manufacturer of offshore wind farm crew transfer vessels, has launched its latest 24-metre DNV-class certified workboat.
The vessel, that was officially named Iceni Victory earlier this morning, will now begin extensive sea trials before being formally handed over to its owners, Iceni Marine Services, later in July.
The official vessel naming ceremony and slipway launch marks another significant milestone for the Isle of Wight based manufacturer, as the firm underlines its long-standing commitment to the offshore wind farm sector.
Stephen Rose, Offshore Wind Generation Manager at SSE, officially named the workboat, with the traditional breaking of champagne.
Following the completion of sea trials, the workboat will join the growing fleet of dedicated offshore wind farm vessels, owned and operated by charter firm, Iceni Marine Services.
The offshore wind farm support services firm that was formed in 2009, currently operates 4 South Boat IOW catamarans in UK coastal waters, with the vessels varying in size from 12 to 17 metres. The launch of DNV-class certified Iceni Victory therefore significantly enhances the capability of its existing fleet both within the UK and further afield in Europe.
“The launch and naming of a new vessel is always an important moment for any workboat yard and its customers,” said Ben Colman, Sales and Marketing Manager, South Boats IOW.
“However, for South Boats IOW, these moments have become especially important, since they provide clear and tangible proof of the way in which we continue to champion and support the potential of European offshore wind.
“Iceni Victory is the second 24-metre class-certified workboat that we have launched and handed over to our customers within as many months. That’s no mean feat and, with a growing customer order book, we look forward to continuing to meet and exceed the needs of new and existing customers in the future.”
In the past twelve months, South Boats IOW has manufactured and built eleven vessels, with a further 6 workboats already confirmed and under construction.
This build capability, combined with a growing maintenance, service and repair business, means that the firm is well placed to meet the needs and ambitious of the fast growing workboat charter and operator sector.
Richard Thurlow, Director, Iceni Marine Services, added, “Iceni Victory is the first DNV-class certified workboat to join our growing fleet.
“Working closely with South Boats IOW, we have ensured that the vessel has been constructed and outfitted based on our specific requirements and following the completion of sea trials, it will be quickly put to work.”
South Boats IOW has a strong heritage of designing and building offshore wind farm crew transfer vessels on the Isle of Wight. The class-leading manufacturer has singularly designed and constructed 50% of all the DNV offshore wind vessels in Europe.
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Press release, July 22, 2013; Image: southboats