The Netherlands: Post Workboats Develops New Vessel for Offshore Industry

Post Workboats has developed a unique Tornado RIB with water jet propulsion especially for the offshore and the wind farm industry.

“It is the first time that such a RIB has been equipped with water jets”, says entrepreneur Klaas Post. “And what is more it offers many important advantages. With water jets you can maneuver accurately down to the centimeter, it is perfectly safe for rescuing people from drowning and for divers. The draught is determined by the bottom of the hull and not by the engine. Thanks to the durable, reliable and economic diesel engine this type of RIB is allowed for use in the offshore industry.”

Owing to the severe safety requirements in the offshore industry vessels with gasoline engines are not allowed. “That is why the Tornado 8.50, with its diesel engine and the water jets, is highly suitable for crew tendering and the fast delivery of equipment for the offshore. The engine, a Steyr turbo diesel 260 hp, can be used at the maximum power for a long period of time. Even using it for 24 hours without interruption does not cause any problem. This also makes the RIB the perfect vessel for patrol purposes. In addition to all these advantages the engine lids at the rear end of the ship can be modified, if required, to make extra seats or a place for a stretcher or tools or extra equipment. This RIB can be used in many ways.”

The same characteristics are also important for companies exploiting wind farms. “The largest wind farm of the Netherlands is being built not far from here near the coast of Urk”, explains Post. “Within 10 minutes you can reach that location from Urk using the RIB. This port is the perfect location for crew tendering and supply of equipment. Hence we not only sell these Tornado’s but also offer the possibility of leasing them. If required, we can also supply a qualified crew.”

Special shape of the hull

Post has developed the Tornado 8.50 in cooperation with the manufacturer Tornado and the Alamarin company producing the water jet propulsion. “The hull of a standard RIB does not have the right shape for using a waterjet”, explains Post. “A V-formed hull does not have enough carrying capacity. It is for that reason that Tornado, advised by Alamarin and our own specialists, has made a new plug. Thanks to this new plug, the production die of a RIB, the Tornado 8.50 can now be built in series.”

Unique safety measures

All RIBS are equipped with an AIS transponder (Automatic Identification System) and all persons aboard are given a PLB (Personal Locator Beacon), linked to the AIS. “It is absolutely safe to work on a Tornado 8.50 even up to a wind force 6. The RIBS are fully seaworthy and are used, also in heavier weather conditions, by the police, the navy and rescue services. However safe the RIBS may be, it cannot be excluded that someone falls overboard. It is then a safe feeling to know that the crew aboard can locate the drowning person accurately down to the meter by using the AIS transponder.  In addition to this other vessels can also receive the signals.”

Post Workboats

Entrepeneur Klaas Post has worked for over 30 years in the maritime industry. Post Workboats is specialized in the development and production of fully equipped vessels for the offshore and the seismic industry, rescue and salvage companies and other nautical professional sectors. The company also offers special services. Amongst other things Post Workboats supplied for years the vessels complete with crew, to escort the Red Bull Air Races.

The possibility of ‘one-stop-shopping’ is of the utmost importance for customers. “We have specially trained employees who assist the customer from the first contact until delivery,” says Post. “We have invested in our staff, equipment and production facilities. As a result of this effort we are able to carry out all operations to completion under our own management. We can help our customers with sales, rent, development of special devices, the installation of equipment, updates of software, service and maintenance, the training of their crew and the instruction of their technical staff. And if need be we can also supply a complete crew for the vessels all over the world.”

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Offshore WIND staff, July 30, 2012; Image: E.J. Bruinekool Fotografie