Pict Offshore has received a GBP 250,000 Regional Selective Assistance grant from Scottish Enterprise to expand production of the Get Up Safe (GUS) ladder-less access system at its site in Inverkeithing, Fife.
The Get Up Safe system is a motion-compensated hoist solution that enables technicians to transfer between small moving vessels and offshore wind turbines without turbine boat landing and ladders.
The funding is part of a wider investment by Pict Offshore to expand manufacturing at its Inverkeithing site and allows the acceleration of the development of its R&D and assembly capabilities.
According to the company, the aim is to add 13 high skilled jobs throughout 2020 and to start placing orders with the local supply chain.
“We have witnessed this innovative Scottish company’s growth over many years to develop a transformative product for offshore wind – made in Fife and used across the world,” said Head of Low Carbon Transition at Scottish Enterprise, Andy McDonald .
“The network of support around Fife Energy Park is also at the heart of this project as it is host to ORE Catapult’s Levenmouth Demonstrator Turbine and allowed the company to test its products on the world’s most advanced open access offshore wind turbines. “
Pict Offshore began developing the product in 2016, and from 2017 prototypes of the system were tested at the 7MW Levenmouth Demonstration Turbine.
Ørsted announced last year it had acquired a 22.5% share in the company with an aim to mature the new ladder-less access system.