Seacat Services orders 4 offshore wind support vessels

Cowes, UK-based offshore energy support vessel operator Seacat Services has ordered up to four vessels from local Isle of Wight boat builder South Boats IoW.

The 23-metre (75.5-ft) and 27-metre catamarans are designed to meet the growing expectations of offshore wind farm developers and operators about support vessel availability, reliability and passenger comfort as the industry matures, Seacat said on Tuesday.

Ian Baylis, Seacat managing director, says that the order will help the company prepare for the round three offshore wind projects in the UK that are still expected to go ahead in spite of financial challenges to established offshore markets. "In addition, other European markets are stepping up their offshore plans, and the increase in our fleet should help meet the growing demands these present," he added.

The four new catamarans are scheduled for launch at strategic points throughout 2016 and 2017, according to the announcement.

Including a vessel currently on sea trials and another one set to join Seacat's operational fleet in February 2016, the order will bring the company's fleet to 15 vessels.

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