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First Windfarm Support Vessel Launches From Hampshire Shipyard
| Published: 17th June 2015 12:58 |
Sharon Mainprize from Mainprize Offshore and Nick Warren, managing director of Burgess Marine, sign the paperwork at Seawork 2015 for a second wind farm support vessel to be built by Burgess Marine for Mainprize. The hand over for the first completed vessel was also signed at Seawork 2015 in Southampton A Hampshire marine engineering specialist has successfully completed a £3m contract for the first of a new generation of offshore support vessels.
Britain's largest independent ship repairer Burgess Marine has built the 25-metre craft for Mainprize Offshore at Trafalgar Wharf in Portchester, near Portsmouth.
The boat, the MO2, was delivered at the Seawork 2015 commercial marine and workboat conference in Southampton when Mainprize also signed a contract with Burgess Marine for a second vessel. (JUNE 16)
Mainprize Offshore expects to create upto 30 new jobs in total with the potential for more from future builds.
It will immediately place MO2 into charter service on the day of its handover for dive inspection work on the Greater Gabbard wind farm off Lowestoft in Suffolk.
The MO2 is the first vessel to be built under Burgess Marine's groundbreaking Surebuild concept to make high quality and versatile boats at competitive prices for the offshore market.
Burgess Marine stepped into the breach after Buckie Shipyard on the Moray Firth in Scotland went into administration before completing the boat.
From left: Burgess Marine technical commercial manager John Rennardson, Bob Mainprize of Mainprize Offshore and Burgess Marine build manager Ric Haselhurst on finished MO2 before she is taken to the ship lift at Burgess Marine's yard at Trafalgar Wharf, Portchester. John Rennardson, Burgess Marine technical commercial manager, said: "Given that this was not a straightforward build, it is a pleasure to see MO2 enter service.
"The MO2 is one of the most advanced crafts of its kind in operation today with bespoke capabilities built into this vessel.
"Mainprize Offshore are a forward-thinking and like-minded business, with whom we are developing a strong relationship with benefits for the local economy and marine industry alike to help keep the UK as the world leader in offshore wind."
MO2 has been built with 70% more deck space than an equivalent boat, allowing it to carry six 20ft containers.
The load includes a decompression unit, dry storage space and equipment - adding up to 23 tonnes of deck cargo.
It can carry upto 15 dive personnel and three to six crew.
Mainprize, which has 20 staff, will manage and operate the MO2 on a three month contract to transfer personnel and equipment to the Greater Gabbard field.
Bob Mainprize, who runs the family run firm with wife Sharon, said: "With MO2 and a second vessel, the MO4, we can potentially double the size of the business.
"MO2 has created 8 to 10 jobs and MO4 and further vessels will potentially create another 18 to 20 full time jobs.
Bob added: "We really appreciate all of the outstanding professionalism, support and dedication of all at Burgess Marine for MO2, especially build manager Ric Haselhurst and fit-out manager Jim Mair."
Work on MO4 is due to start in August following the official signing of paperwork at Seawork.
Greater Gabbard is a 504 MW wind farm 23km off the coast of Lowestoft, which opened in August 2013 at a cost of £1.6bn.
Its 140 turbines can deliver enough renewable energy for about 530,000 homes annually.
The UK is the world leader in offshore wind. The sector supports 13,000 direct and indirect jobs
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