Aluminium Marine Consultants News

AMC trainee achieves Level 3 Metal Fabricator Apprenticeship with Distinction

Thu, 12 Dec 2024 19:03:03 GMT

We are thrilled to announce that Jamie White has achieved a distinction for his Level 3 Metal Fabricator Apprenticeship and has successfully completed AMC’S in-house training programme in Aluminium Boat Building.

Jamie is the third trainee to finish the programme, with additional trainees following in his footsteps. Jamie received his certificate from AMC's HR Manager, alongside a Hugo Boss timepiece and a Christmas Hamper in recognition of his commitment and hard work.

Reflecting on his journey, Jamie shared, “It has been a great privilege to have been able to complete my 4-year apprenticeship at AMC. I am now excited to continue progressing within the company and develop new skills. I would like to thank Nigel for giving me this opportunity and all of my highly skilled colleagues who have supported me throughout my apprenticeship.”

We are eager to see Jamie continue to grow and achieve even greater success within AMC!

MV Dirac: A Hydrogen-Powered Innovation by AMC and Ecomar Propulsion

Fri, 29 Nov 2024 08:58:19 GMT

Aluminium Marine Consultants (AMC) has joined forces with Ecomar Propulsion Ltd to deliver the MV Dirac, a 9-meter vessel at the forefront of maritime innovation.

Designed by Ad Hoc Marine Designs Ltd, the MV Dirac takes inspiration from a NATO Combat Ready Boat but has been completely reimagined internally to accommodate a cutting-edge hydrogen-electric propulsion system.

Advanced Propulsion for a Sustainable Future

The MV Dirac is powered by two 250kW Ecomar Kairos motors, paired with a 180kWh lithium-ion battery pack. To extend its range, the vessel is equipped with a hydrogen fuel cell, enabling longer operations without reliance solely on battery power. The hydrogen is stored in lightweight, hand-portable BOC Genie bottles, which can be easily replaced onboard, making it possible to recharge the vessel anywhere.

This practical refueling system eliminates the need for expensive port infrastructure, offering unparalleled flexibility. Exeter Port Authority’s Harbour Master, Grahame Forshaw, highlighted the practicality of the system:

“The beauty of the hydrogen refueling is that the port doesn’t need to install expensive equipment. We can carry the bottles to the boat, and they weigh about the same as a regular barbecue bottle. We can easily charge the batteries directly from the pontoon as well, so it makes the move to clean energy really easy.”

A Collaborative Effort for Decarbonization

Built in partnership with Ecomar Propulsion, the MV Dirac is undergoing final outfitting and trials at Exmouth Harbour with support from Exeter University’s Centre for Future Clean Mobility. This project not only showcases AMC’s capabilities in bespoke vessel design but also aims to demonstrate the viability of hydrogen propulsion in real-world maritime operations.

Ecomar Propulsion CEO Eugene Bari emphasised the project’s broader mission:

“We hope to prove to the communities around the River Exe that the transition to clean maritime is easy, safe, and sensible. Hydrogen propulsion offers a reliable, sustainable solution, and with forward-thinking ports like Exeter, Britain can lead the way in decarbonizing our waterways.”

AMC’s Commitment to Sustainable Innovation

This project exemplifies AMC’s dedication to bespoke vessel construction that combines cutting-edge technology with sustainability. By collaborating with Ecomar Propulsion and Ad Hoc Marine Designs Ltd, AMC continues to lead in creating cleaner, more efficient vessels for the future.

For more details about the MV Dirac, visit Ecomar Propulsion’s article here .

AMC Proudly Sponsors Local Student’s Conservation Mission to Costa Rica

Thu, 12 Sep 2024 09:27:04 GMT

At Aluminium Marine Consultants (AMC), we are delighted to announce our sponsorship of Isle of Wight student Angelina Carpenter, who is raising funds to participate in a four-week volunteer programme in Costa Rica in 2025.

Angelina’s mission is to contribute to vital conservation and community projects in a remote and biodiverse region of Costa Rica, where she will work alongside dedicated conservationists. Her efforts will support the protection of fragile ecosystems and help uplift local communities, aligning with AMC's values of sustainability and environmental stewardship.

To help fund her expedition, Angelina has already embarked on several fundraising activities, including a remarkable 67-mile walk around the Isle of Wight. Her determination and passion for this cause truly reflect her commitment to making a positive impact.

We are proud to support Angelina in this inspiring journey, and we invite our partners and community to do the same. You can follow her progress and contribute to her fundraiser via the link below. Every donation, no matter how small, helps her reach her goal and make a difference in Costa Rica.

Support Angelina's Fundraiser

Let’s come together to help Angelina achieve her dream and support conservation efforts across the globe!

Second trainee to complete AMC’s four-year in-house training programme

Mon, 01 Jul 2024 09:00:44 GMT

Aluminium Marine Consultants (AMC) are delighted to mark the completion of Seb Norsworthy’s in-house training in Aluminium Boat Building, Marine Engineer Bias. Seb is the second trainee to complete AMC’s four-year training programme with other trainees to follow.

Seb was presented with his certificate by AMC’s HR Manager, and he also received a G-Shock 30th Anniversary limited edition time piece watch in recognition of his achievement.

On the successful completion of his training, Seb commented: "It is a pleasure to work at AMC, I have learnt many skills and developed them over my time here. Everyone has been very supportive, and I look forward to continuing working here and expanding my skill set even further."

Rob Stewart, Commercial Director commented: "AMC instigated a training programme to encourage young trainees to gain the practical skills needed to produce our high-quality vessels. Our training consists of practical hands-on training and working alongside our meticulously skilled workforce. It is our mission to invest time in a welding, marine engineering, and fabrication bias training programme to ensure the future of the next generation of skilled workers within the marine manufacturing industry. We would like to thank Diverse Marine who we work closely with, as they have supported Seb in engineering activities. It is a great example of local organisation’s collaborating to offer world class marine manufacturing."

AMC Expands Welding Capabilities with State-of-the-Art Kemppi Machines

Fri, 02 Feb 2024 15:22:24 GMT

In the fast-paced world of marine construction, staying at the forefront of innovation is not just a choice but a necessity.

Aluminium Marine Consultants (AMC), the UK's leading aluminium boat builders based in Cowes on the Isle of Wight, has once again showcased their commitment to excellence with the acquisition of four cutting-edge XF5 Fastmig Kemppi welding machines. These high-performing additions, purchased from their trusted supplier Rapid Welding & Industrial Supplies Limited , signify a significant leap forward in AMC's dedication to delivering top-notch quality and efficiency in their work boat vessel construction.

The Power of Partnership:

Rapid Welding & Industrial Supplies Limited, a welding distributor with a rich history dating back to 1990, has been a cornerstone in AMC's success. The partnership between the two companies spans 15 years, with Rapid Welding consistently providing quality products and unparalleled customer service.

The recent acquisition of the Kemppi machines is yet another testament to the reliability of Rapid Welding, who have not only been a supplier but a partner in the journey of growth and innovation.

Rapid Welding's Commitment to Excellence:

Founded by Roy and Rob Edwards, Rapid Welding has solidified its position in the welding industry with a commitment to offering generous discounts on quality products. As an officially appointed agent for major suppliers, their award-winning website and global reach have made them a go-to source for welding needs in over 100 countries.

Rapid Welding's competence in distribution and aftersales support has played a pivotal role in empowering companies like AMC to push the boundaries of their capabilities.

Kemppi: Elevating Welding Standards:

The integration of Kemppi's XF5 Fastmig welding machines into AMC's production line signifies a stride towards excellence. Kemppi , a design leader in the arc welding industry, focuses on continuous development to boost the quality and productivity of welding. With advanced products, digital solutions, and services tailored for professionals, Kemppi aligns seamlessly with AMC's commitment to delivering optimal efficiency and durability in their work.

The Usability and Reliability of Kemppi Machines:

Kemppi's guiding principle revolves around the usability and reliability of their products. With a global partner network covering over 70 countries, Kemppi ensures that their expertise is locally available, providing businesses like AMC with the tools they need to excel in their craft.

The XF5 Fastmig machines, integrated seamlessly into AMC's workflow, are poised to contribute to optimal efficiency and enhanced durability, raising the bar for the entire marine construction industry.

Conclusion:

AMC's investment in the latest Kemppi welding machines not only reflects their commitment to excellence but also showcases the strength of their partnerships. With Rapid Welding & Industrial Supplies Limited and Kemppi by their side, AMC is well-positioned to continue leading the way in innovative and bespoke work boat vessel construction .

As they embark on this new chapter, the Isle of Wight-based company remains dedicated to pushing the boundaries of what's possible in the Commercial and Industrial Marine Industry.

First trainee to complete AMC’s four-year in-house training programme

Sun, 17 Dec 2023 10:57:13 GMT

Aluminium Marine Consultants (AMC) are delighted to mark the completion of Kyle Salmon’s in-house training in Aluminium Boat Building. Kyle is the first trainee to complete AMC’s four-year training programme with others to follow. Kyle has also achieved coded welder certification.

Kyle was presented with his certificate by HR Manager, Marcia True (assoc. CIPD) he also received a G-Shock 30th Anniversary limited edition time piece watch in recognition of his achievement and was gifted a festive hamper which all employees receive every Christmas in appreciation for their hard work and dedication to the company.

On the successful completion of his training, Kyle commented ‘It has been an honour to work alongside such highly skilled craftsmen and gain hands-on Industry experience. I have learnt so much throughout my four years at AMC and am looking forward to furthering my career and continuing to develop new skills.’

Nigel True, Production Director commented: "AMC instigated a training programme to encourage young trainees to gain the practical skills needed to produce our high-quality vessels. Our training consists of practical hands-on training, working alongside our meticulously skilled workforce. It is our mission to invest time in a welding and fabrication bias training programme to ensure the future of the next generation of skilled workers within the manufacturing industry".

AMC has several apprentices working throug h the programme and are looking forward to more joining next year.

AMC invests in the MasterMig with SuperSnake GTX

Mon, 08 Aug 2022 11:49:02 GMT

In keeping with our mission of continual investment in state-of-the-art equipment, AMC have been using Kemppi Welding Equipment since their inception and have recently invested in the pioneering Kemppi Mastetermig 355 water cooled package with the GTX SuperSnake 15mtr extended feeder, supplied by Rapid Welding & Industrial Supplies Limited.

These machines are the very latest in inverter technology, offering superb extended reach feeding in excess of 50 foot, small workshop space and with the eco power consumption, reducing our carbon foot print.

This welding equipment is the very best in enabling us to achieve the highest possible standards in Marine Manufacturing.

First-in-class 9m Hercules Catamaran Tugs – Complete Sea Trials.

Sat, 12 Mar 2022 10:38:21 GMT

We are pleased to announce that our 2 identical catamaran 9m Hercules Tugs named Hercules and Samson, have successfully completed sea trials.

Providing outstanding performance across the board from impressive stopping in less than a boat length, manoeuvrability, turning in her own length, topped off by the impressive bollard pull which exceeded 5 tonne.

This tug packs a big punch for her size and has proven to be another successful collaboration between AMC and Naval Architect, Ad Hoc Marine Designs Ltd .

AMC Involved In Developing Clean Maritime Solution

Thu, 26 Nov 2020 17:19:35 GMT

AMC Proud To Announce Involvement In Developing Clean Maritime Solutions For A Greener Future.

Offshore Charging Facility for Electrified Vessels Set to Revolutionise Offshore Operations.

A consortium of offshore renewable energy and marine companies will lead a project to explore the viability of developing an offshore charging facility for vessels as part of the industry’s efforts to decarbonise its vessel operations.

Funded by the first phase of the UK Government’s Sustainable Innovation Fund, the project – led by Turbulent Simulations, alongside Aluminium Marine Consultants , the Offshore Renewable Energy (ORE) Catapult , MJR Power & Automation, Tidal Transit and Bibby Marine Services – will look into the design of a permanently stationed Offshore Charging Vessel.

The technology would allow electrified vessels, such as Crew Transfer Vessels (CTVs) and Service Operating Vessels (SOVs), to dock and recharge whilst operating offshore, giving them greater range and bigger operating windows. The charging vessel would, in turn, draw power from wind farms at times of low demand, storing it in onboard batteries.

Having a charging capability offshore should bolster an owner/operator’s confidence to invest in electrified vessels, which will have greater flexibility to operate in the field for longer periods, supporting a reduction in operations and maintenance costs. Decarbonising the offshore fleet is vital if the UK is to meet its net-zero targets by 2050. The project partners will also explore the potential for the charging vessel to store modular battery units that could be swapped for the used battery on the operating vessel.

The project has already attracted significant interest, with confirmed backing from industry advisers, including Vattenfall Networks, Vattenfall Renewables and the Workboat Association (WA). The consortium is also hoping to advance to the second phase of the Sustainable Innovation Fund, potentially accessing £3m of grant funding to undertake a detailed design and demonstration of the charging vessel.

Trevor Linn, CEO of Turbulent Simulations, said:

“We have more than six years of experience working on software coding and digital solutions for clients including the Ministry of Defence and Lockheed Martin. We’re excited to be working with leading offshore wind industry partners and bring our knowledge and experience of software and digital integration to bear in tackling the challenge of offshore charging. We see huge potential and strong market demand for this innovative technology as the offshore wind industry and the broader maritime sector seek solutions for charging the next generation of electric and hybrid service vessels .”

Stuart Barnes, Regional Partnership Manager at ORE Catapult, said:

“ORE Catapult recognises the strong industry demand for clean maritime solutions to help the industry reduce its emissions during the operations and maintenance of offshore wind farms . Early indications suggest that electric and hybrid CTVs are gaining popularity among operators and an important enabler to unleash their full potential is the capability to charge offshore. Delivering this capability requires a number of technical, commercial and regulatory barriers to be addressed and ORE Catapult is pleased to be working with this group of highly skilled UK SMEs involved in bringing forward this innovation.”

Leo Hambro, Director at Tidal Transit said:

“As a vessel operator actively pursuing net-zero maritime operations, we believe that offshore charging capability is an important enabler to the rapid deployment of electric and hybrid electric vessels in offshore wind . As such we take a great interest in this emerging technology and we’re very pleased to be providing direct support to the development of this important innovation.”

ORE Catapult is leading on a market awareness study for the project to gain insights from vessel designers, vessel operators and wind farm owner operators that will inform how industry standardisation for the connection between vessel and charging system can be achieved. It is calling on organisations to provide feedback by completing an online survey . For more information about engaging with the project, companies can contact ORE Catapult di rectly .

Original Post Courtesy Of ORE Catapult Can Be Found HERE

AMC Awarded with ISO Accreditation for fifth consecutive year

Sun, 23 Aug 2020 15:40:04 GMT

We are very proud to announce we have been awarded the ISO 9001:2015 ISO14001:2015 and ISO 45001:2018 certification by the British Assessment Bureau.

This is an internationally recognised standard that ensures our products and services meet the needs of our customers through an effective quality management system.

Having successfully passed the audit for the fifth consecutive year we are delighted to share the news of our recent achievement.

Our ongoing compliance with ISO demonstrates our commitment to consistently achieving the highest standards of service as well as to continually improve our manufacturing processes.

To be ISO 9001:2015 compliant, our company underwent an extensive company-wide audit led by Wight Safety Consultancy which included an assessment of every point of service provided to our customers. Thanks to Mark and his team, our manufacturing and production processes have officially been given the ISO stamp of approval as of August 2020.

Our Director Nigel True commented:

“ISO 9001 has given us the credibility and accreditation to support our reputation for being one of the Industry leaders in Aluminium Boat-building within the UK! As our organisation has grown over the years, so have our customers and their quality requirements, so obtaining ISO 9001 means not only do we meet their expectations… but in most cases surpass them!”

Q&A With Nigel True

Sun, 24 Nov 2019 09:17:06 GMT

An Interview with Production Director and Founder of AMC

Earlier this week we sat down with our Production Director and Aluminium Marine Consultants Founder, Nigel True – to hear his thoughts on how the company has grown and developed since it launched in January 2006.

Q1. What is AMC’s Market?

“Overall our market is very diverse. We have been involved in Wind farm support vessel construction , work-boat and offshore crew transfer vessel design and hovercraft builds to name but a few. However we offer a very flexible approach and are very proud to have also built numerous first-in-class and bespoke vessels for a range of applications.”

Q2. The Isle of Wight is a hub for Maritime History. Does this result in any direct benefits?

“Yes, we benefit from this in many ways. Firstly, our team is made up mostly of local employees who offer the very highest level of craftsmanship and dedication to the Marine Industry. The diversity and scale of the projects which we are involved in takes a very flexible and resourceful workforce. Along with our highly-skilled local talent, we also have built strong relations with other key local stakeholders within the boat-building industry such as Diverse Marine, who we are very pleased to be working alongside at Medina Yard. As an organisation, we are very committed to our Isle of Wight Heritage and supporting local industry.”

Q3. How has AMC developed since its early days?

“Since founding AMC, we have worked very hard to develop and push the boundaries with vessel design and construction . We endeavour to be as flexible as possible with our approach to fabrication which is evident from the vast range of projects we have been involved in commissioning, including, commercial work-boats for windfarms , a state-of-the-art unmanned transit vessel for the mining industry and our recent involvement in commissioning a full-size replica rocket for Sandown Airport, Isle of Wight.

Q4. What are your highlights over the past twelve years?

“Highlights have included the fabrication of a number of first-in-class vessels including the recent commissioning of a first-in-class, high-performance 14m fire-fighting vessel for the Guyana Emergency Services. We have also re-located our Shipyard across the River Medina, to Medina Yard Cowes. This has been a pivotal move for the growth and future of AMC and we are delighted to be back on home-soil and working alongside some of the best talent in the Marine Industry.”

AMC unveil first-in-class High Performance Fire Fighting vessel

Wed, 21 Aug 2019 08:32:48 GMT

Aluminium Marine Consultants Ltd (AMC), has successfully delivered a first-in-class fire-fighting vessel.

A tri-partnership agreement was signed between AMC, Naval Architect Walker Marine Design and Firefighting supplier Angloco Limited to design and build the high-performance Firefighting vessel.

Built at AMC’s Shipyard in Cowes, Isle of Wight (UK), the Fire Boat is the first build of a new generation of Fire-fighting vessels which has been specifically designed and built to undertake multiple roles to meet the risks and hazards of modern-day marine fire-fighting.

AMC Director, Nigel True , commented ‘the order was a vote of confidence for the UK Marine Industry, the UK economy and emerging export market for Fire-Fighting and multi-role vessels .’ The 14m vessel will deliver speeds of up to 32 knots, supply up to 4,500 litres of water per minute from three monitors and ranging up-to 120 Metres and will carry a full set of fire-fighting equipment to tackle marine-based emergencies.

AMC has named its new class of vessels the ‘ FiFi’ range , which an abbreviation of ‘Fire-fighting’. This state-of-the-art range offers a diverse array of configurations with both mono hull and catamaran; all the vessels have proven sea-keeping abilities with proven hull design with propulsion type to suit the task needs.

The new ‘FiFi’ vessels have the options of waterjets, conventional propellers, Voith Linear jets and hybrid propulsion, with firefighting performance to meet the risk of the individual operators. This allows the range of fire boats to offer high-performance for any marine-based emergencies and which can be supplied to type and classification approval and to meet NFPA 1925 and DNV Fi Fi regulations.

For operator versatility and flexibility, the 16 metre to 23 metre vessels have the option to be supplied with a system of demountable containers, called PODs. The PODs can be built in many configurations from open flatbed to a four-sided container, with canvas sides or multiple doors. The roles that the PODs can carry out can be suited to meet the necessary risk needs assessment and include functionalities such as drone operations, search & rescue and breathing apparatus support.

After safely being delivered to customer Angloco Limited, who has recently celebrated a 50th anniversary milestone for designing, manufacturing and supplying special purpose fire-fighting and rescue vehicles and equipment in over 50 countries world-wide, the vessel has now been delivered, serviced and is in working operation on the Demerara River, in Guyana, South America.

The vessel has been commissioned to protect a 10-mile stretch of the river which is the host to large commercial activity including industrial and food import/export and the storage of petroleum products. It will also carry out search and rescue missions and is equipped with accommodation for two stretchers in the case of medical evacuations.

Chief Fire Officer Marlon Gentle of the Guyana Fire and Rescue department commented that the Firefighting vessel will improve the country's fire service marine firefighting and response capability as it will be able to pump in excess of 5,000 gallons of water per minute. Gentle stated, ‘It heralds the need for this type of equipment so that we can have some sort of port protection for our storage, our wharves, warehouses and so on the waterfront, and also a fireboat is also a very useful piece of equipment for shore support in terms of land based firefighting operations.’

Founded in 2007, AMC is headquartered alongside the River Medina in Cowes and East Cowes, Isle of Wight, and employs 35 staff. Specialising in the build of aluminium workboats for a wide range of applications, the company has built 46 vessels, predominately aluminium alloy workboats, for applications including crew transfer, pilotage, rescue and recovery.

AMC also specialise in aluminium fabrication and Stainless Steel projects and uniquely offer a bespoke consultancy service which involves routinely travelling world-wide to provide training and support across an extensive scope of entities throughout the Marine Sector.

AMC are accredited to ISO 9001, 14001 and 18001 by the British Assessment Bureau and is committed to ensuring projects are commissioned to the highest standard in a safe and environmentally responsible way.

AMC produces life size Black Arrow replica

Tue, 12 Jun 2018 08:04:15 GMT

Proof, if it were needed, of our flexible approach and 'can-do' attitude!

Aluminium Marine Consultants offer the capacity within its fabrication and manufacturing to produce complex structures and components using Aluminium, Stainless Steel, Duplex, Copper and Copper-Nickel to meet the needs and requirements of our customers.

We recently produced a life size replica of the famous Black Arrow Rocket for a local based charity.

Offshore partnership WFSV at Seawork

Thu, 08 Jun 2017 14:49:39 GMT

Taking wind farm service vessels to the next level.

The fruit of a ground-breaking WFSV build partnership between Aluminium Marine Consultants (AMC) and Mainprize Offshore Ltd will be on the quayside (berth VB32) at Seawork International this year.

With unique features such as a dedicated three-point mooring system, fuel transfer system and a draft of only 1.4m, the 23m WFSV MO4 has been designed and built to operate in shallow water conditions and take wind farm service vessels to the next level.

Attention to detail and meeting tight deadlines.

“We chose AMC because of its flexibility and the company’s attention to detail and workmanship, coupled with its willingness to meet the tight deadlines the client required,” said Bob Mainprize, manging director, Mainprize Offshore Ltd.

He pointed out that from the keel being laid up to the handover, the build time for the MO4 has been less than nine months. This has meant a build time saving of almost four months reducing build finance cost and risk.

“This means that MO4 will start to pay back four months earlier than any other builder can offer,” Mr Mainprize added.

Brief spec and features

MO4 is fitted with twin Caterpillar C32 diesel engines driving fixed pitch propellers that gives the vessel a service speed of 26 knots, even when fully loaded.

The vessel has been designed with huge amounts of deck space both fore and aft and has been designed for shallow water work with a 1.4m draft. It can carry up to 30,000 litres of fuel or 20,000 litres of water and has provision for 4 x 20' containers and 30t of deck cargo.

Increased cost efficiencies for the wind farm operator

Mainprize’s MO4 will be put to work straight away in the German windfarm sector on an eight-year contract with Deutsche Windtechnik on the Nordergründe windfarm. There it will perform crew transfer, cargo and equipment duties out of the port of Hooksiel.

Mainprize has built up a four-and-a-half-year relationship with Deutsche Windtechnik working on Vattenfall’s DanTysk and Butendiek windfarms , where it has more than upheld its proven track record in achieving reduced weather down time and almost zero hours’ maintenance and breakdown rates, resulting in increased cost efficiencies for the windfarm operator.

'TYPHOON TOW’: ENGINEERED FOR FUTURE DEMANDS

Tue, 18 Aug 2015 20:07:30 GMT

A design fit for the current and future demands of the industry.

Like its three sister vessels, offshore wind crew transfer vessel 'Typhoon TOW' “is quite some way above the usual spec”, said Rob Stewart of Aluminium Marine Consultants (AMC).

Peter Richards, Vessel Superintendent at CWind added that the CTV hasn’t just been built to meet the minimum requirements of the work boat code and flag state, but has been built in order to yield maximum days at sea: “The best way to do it is to engineer a design fit for the current and future demands of the industry, rather than working on a just fit-for-purpose vessel.”

However, in order to exceed CWind’s high standard specification and build quality, there was significant collaboration between CWind and AMC in the initial stages to make sure that the scope of works was fully covered and the project milestones were realised on time and on budget. AMC had seen four sister vessels – a pair reaching 24m and another at 22m long - built almost concurrently.

Given the tight delivery time “it meant we had all the different stages there in the shed at the same time: it did push the boundaries... but it’s proved we can do it”, said Mr Stewart.

Secondly, he explained new MCA regulations have raised standards and there was a conscious decision to take on “not just the word but the spirit” of the new guidance: “We wanted to make these boats fully compliant so they could be signed off without any grey areas.”

The capability is continued in the lines of the boat: James Walker of naval architect Walker Marine Design explained that the semi-displacement catamaran hull “has been predominantly designed for its sea keeping abilities... it’s not just focused on transit speed” he said, even though this is a pretty fast 28 knots.

Furthermore, Typhoon TOW has a 1.4m draft, paired with a high waterline which gives plenty of room for the waves to pass through the tunnel between the hulls. “If the wet deck is too low, waves can hit the underside resulting in slamming: it reduces both the sea keeping and the transfer capability of the vessel,” explained Mr Walker.

The specialist wind farm support vessel fendering supplied by RG Seasight in order to give the best possible traction on the tower. The Forward deck area has space for 10 tonnes of cargo and the same on the aft deck although this vessel has been designed more for crew transfer than supplies explained Mr Richards “there’s still room for a crane to be mounted if needed”.

The depth of each hull also gives more than adequate space in the engine compartments: “Typically engine rooms tend to be very cramped… So we consciously tried to give the operator easier access for maintenance” he added.

Propulsion is supplied by a pair of MTU 12V 2000 M72 twelve cylinder engines yielding 1,080 kW each or 2,160kW in all (the other smaller sister vessels being driven by two ten-cylinder engines delivering 900kW with similar effect). These again were chosen with the ‘maximum working hours’ philosophy in mind.

Mr Richards explained the issue for a lot of wind service vessels is that these engines have to cope with extended operating hours as they aren’t just transit vessels, turbine service mode requires continual thrust. Therefore CWind looked at several different manufacturers but MTU, he said, “stood out from the rest... even keeping these vessels running flat-out, we were still within the working range of these particular engines”. He added: “A lot of the other suppliers would only guarantee 70% of the duty cycle, these could guarantee 100%”.

It also helps that the vessels are equipped with MTU’s blue vision new generation automation; a high-speed internet connection allowing the propulsion system to be closely monitored, not only onboard, but also from the shore. This means engine data can be evaluated to allow either operation or fuel consumption to be tweaked in order to give the most efficient performance for the prevailing conditions.

The MTU engines drive the Rolls-Royce Kamewa A3 56 water jets; these come supplied with an integrated, high performance aluminium inlet duct and pre-mounted hydraulic valve block and associated pipe work for simple and effective installation.

A good stop is delivered via a compact, efficient reversing bucket which is able to deliver as much as 70% of the normal forward thrust. The choice fell to Rolls-Royce simply because these water jets delivered around a 10% higher bollard push when compared to competitors’, this not only helps transit efficiency “but keeps the vessel pushed on to the tower in higher sea states” said Mr Walker.

Further, the steering nozzle doesn’t just give the boat a nifty turn of speed, it’s been designed to minimise hydrodynamic losses and minimise vibration. In fact the same concept has been applied to the onboard power gensets: a pair of 19V Cummins Onan ‘Quiet Diesel’ MDKBV units, which have a low sound and vibration profile. These gensets are also particularly easy to operate: there’s an isolated DC console, digital controls providing diagnostics and indicator lights to warn of hazards.

The same attention to comfort has been extended throughout the accommodation areas and wheel house – especially when it comes to noise levels. “We’ve moved on a great deal from the old boats where you really needed ear defenders while in transit,” explained Mr Richards. “The superstructure is resiliently mounted and it’s quiet as a mouse.”

This means that the dozen technicians onboard can rest or chat in the comfortable high-backed KPM passenger seats – plus, the galley is fitted with a microwave and hob as well as water boiler and a fridge freezer so there’s no issue with taking a drink or preparing a light meal.

Up front the navcomm solutions have “some unique features at the request of the client” said Rob Stewart, “centred around a sophisticated communications system”.

However, one of Typhoon TOW’s most valuable features is that it is most definitely not ‘a one off’.

In fact Peter Richards is proud of the fact that this vessel and its three sisters all look incredibly similar - unless you have a tape measure to hand showing that at 24.50m, one pair of these vessels is 2m longer than the other two. “You can’t immediately see the difference – the installations are almost identical apart from a slight difference in the engines and the systems are the same.

The idea being that these four vessels are interchangeable between sites and crew members could walk from one onto the other and would imagine being on the same vessel.”

Rob Stewart concluded: “We are competing in a worldwide market now - it’s no longer a matter of just picking up the phone to a service enquiry and saying ‘we’ll get around to it as soon as we can’.” He added: “It means maturing and if we want to compete we have to be able say, yes and set the standard of support higher. We are building our customer base but we have international standards and an audit trail to give peace of mind to new customers.”

But what of the market conditions? After all, there are these new, big, 24 personnel carriers to compete against. James Walker gave an interesting answer: “Although I expect there’s going to be a loss of interest in the smaller wind support vessels, the 24 personnel carrying boats don’t necessarily give you that much more when it comes to straightforward technician transfer, so these 22m and 24m vessels will remain a good size for a long time to come.”