Seacat Services, an offshore energy crew transfer vessel operator, has placed an order worth £6 million with local boat builder South Boats IOW for two DNV-GL class-certified next generation 24m catamarans as it looks to bolster its fleet ahead of the next phase of European offshore wind construction.
While new construction is set to slow during 2015 as a number of sites reach completion, throughout 2016 installation activity is projected to steadily increase and, in 2017, the company expects a significant uptick as numerous large projects get underway.
With Seacat Courageous – the firm’s second 26m tank-tested OESV – currently in build and due for launch in mid-February this year, the two new 24m catamarans, named Seacat Mischief and Seacat Magic, are scheduled for launch in October 2015 and January 2016 respectively.
Once complete, the vessels, built to a custom design specification, will expand the Seacat Services operational fleet to 11.
“As the offshore wind market prepares to enter by far its most significant and challenging phase of development to date, firms throughout the supply chain must start gearing up to support that expansion,” said Ian Baylis, Managing Director, Seacat Services.