Alnmaritec Wind Farm Support Boat
Alnmaritec, the aluminium boat builder based in Northumberland, recently announced the successful launch of the second in a series of four sister ships to be delivered for duties in wind farm support roles. The Endeavour has been built for the operators North Sea Logistics and she is a sister vessel to the Aaryan launched last year for the same company.
Endeavour is one of the popular Wave Commander class of vessels from Alnmaritec and two further sisters are under construction at the yard which are the eleventh and twelfth in the line of craft that Alnmaritec has built over recent years for support operations on offshore wind farms.
Endeavour is an aluminium asymmetric catamaran 18 m long and 6.2 m wide with a displacement of around 27 t. She is fitted with twin 800bhp electronically controlled Cummins QSK19 diesels engines driving conventional four bladed 800mm diameter fixed pitch propellers through Twin Disc MGX 5135 Quick Shift gearboxes. These give her a top speed of 25 knots and she is also fitted with twin electric bow thrusters which give her excellent manoeuvrability.
In this vessel particular attention has been paid to passenger comfort and she is outfitted to a very high standard. Examples of the attention to detail that has been paid on her are evident in the wood panelling and trim in the interior, the provision of full reclining and suspension seating, twin Plasma TV screens with satellite tracking aerials to give live coverage as well as full WIFI internet access in the accommodation. Her thoughtful interior layout includes changing and storage areas, a mess area, a galley and WC within the deckhouse and a segregated forward wheelhouse. Externally particular attention has been paid to ensuring easy access to the foredeck for personnel and equipment and she is fitted with a 9 ton/m hydraulic crane and wide sloping side decks.
Dave Armstrong of North Sea Logistics said “The boat has lived up to all my expectations and her performance on rough water trials in particular has proven her to be one of the most capable boats in the industry”. Alnmaritec Managing Director Chris Millman said “If the customer is happy then we have obviously got something right! This boat marks a step change for us in terms of sophistication and quality of finishing and she is a real credit to our workforce”.