Offshore wind transfer vessel operator Seacat Services and South Boats Isle of Wight (IOW), a U.K.-based manufacturer of wind farm service vessels, have launched the 24-meter catamaran Seacat Volunteer.
The DNV class-certified Volunteer is the sixth South Boats IOW vessel to join the Seacat Services fleet. Accommodating 12 wind farm technicians and three crew, the aluminum-hulled catamaran is propelled by twin Rolls Royce water jets and can reach speeds in excess of 29 knots.
Once sea trials have been conducted, the companies say the Seacat Volunteer will be available for deployment across a number of U.K. and wider European offshore developments.
In September 2013, South Boats IOW and Seacat Services signed a 10 million British pound order for three further wind farm crew transfer vessels. Under the terms of the deal, South Boats is set to deliver one 24-meter and two 26-meter vessels to Seacat over the next two years.
