THE meercat Journal
June 2010 - Seawork 2010 Press Release
Meercat Workboats Ltd, the Portsmouth based steel
boat-builders have signed a contract at
SEAWORK 2010 to supply a specialised service vessel to operate on
the UK’s East Coast. The 14
metre vessel, the first in the company’s RT14 range, has been ordered
in a joint signing by the clients
Scira Offshore Energy and
Wells Harbour Commissioners.
It will service wind farm workboats operating out to the
Sheringham Shoal Wind Farm,
as well as attending to general port duties in and around the port of
Wells-Next-The-Sea in
Norfolk. The wind farm site is
owned equally by
Statoil
and Statkraft through a joint-venture company
Scira Offshore Energy Limited.
Statoil is the
operator for the project during the development phase and
Scira will be the wind farm operator.
When
Wells Harbour was proposed as the preferred site for the wind farm
workboats’ base, it was immediately apparent that the harbour’s
shallow water would present a problem at certain states of tide.
The answer was to dredge a new basin to seawards of the
original historic port.
Environmental concerns lead to a decision to have only pedestrian
access to the new pontoon berths.
This in turn meant that the supply of cargo to the cats from
Wells’ main harbour would have to be a shallow draft feeder barge.
Meercat Workboats were invited to submit a design and construct
proposal to meet the exacting criteria set by the clients.
These included a minimum operating draft of 560mm, with a
loaded draft of 750mm with 10-tonnes on deck.
Also, as the vessel will be required to operate at night and in
a rural environment, noise was to be kept to a minimum.
The builder’s successful design was for a single-hulled 14
metre unit of a similar concept to their much sought after twin-hulled
RT16. The vessel will be
powered by Doosan L136 main engines and a Westerbeke 9.2kw generator,
all supplied by Newton Abbot based
Watermota Ltd.
It will also have fitted a Palfinger PK11001MB hydraulic crane
supplied by Outreach Ltd of Falkirk.
April 2010
The first hull to be built at our new Trafalgar Wharf site has now left on it's way to join Sinbad Marine Services' SMS Meercat at their base in Killybegs, Ireland. This third hull, complete with moonpool and heavy duty bow ramps provides Sinbad Marine Services with the capability to transport a 15 Tonne drilling machine on deck and take on new contracts immediately.
The triple hulled configuration is proving ever more popular, with an additional hull also being added to the specification sheet for Meercat No 7, currently in build for Jurstaholms.
March 2010
Island Partner was successfully handed over to her new owner, Island Shipping, at the beginning of February leaving us to concentrate on the build of Meercat No 7 for Jurstaholms Marina Entreprenader. Jurstaholms' Principal, Stefan Thiger recently visited our new yard together with a representative from the Swedish shipping authority. The starboard hull is now substantially complete with the engine and genset in position. The port hull and wheelhouse are proceeding apace.
We are also pleased to announce that we have been contracted to build a third hull, complete with moon pool and 15 tonne bow ramp for a previously supplied Meercat. This further emphasises the flexibility of our workboats, with the capability to operate in both twin and tri configurations.
January 2010
We have now completed our move to Trafalgar Wharf and even managed to turn off the lights at the old yard in time for Christmas. With Island Partner moored up outside the shed awaiting sea trials, the build of Meercat No 7 is rapidly progressing inside assisted by our two new cranes.
November 2009
We are excited to announce that Meercat Workboats will soon be moving to much larger premises at Trafalgar Wharf, Portsmouth. With the build for Meercat No.6 progressing well, we are already preparing for the move in time to start building No.7 in the new boatshop. The rails have already been laid for a 30 Tonne gantry crane, with the crane being fitted in the next couple of weeks and work is underway on the office and mess room. The new site will enable Meercat Workboats to build a larger range of vessels with reduced lead times. Please check back for an update on this exciting news.
Older News...
With the successful delivery of “Wiltango” to Williams Shipping in Southampton, work commenced on No.5. The option was soon taken up by Wicklow based Island Shipping. Simon and Tim Greenwood, the Company’s principles, visited the Mill View Barn Yard just as the first hull was nearing completion and took up the option. It was agreed to complete the vessel as a two-hulled version, with the intention of having dual coding – UK Work Boat CoP cat 3, and licensing under the Irish Department of Transport. Builders and operators who have worked in Ireland will know of the stringent standards required by the latter authority.
“Island Meercat”, as the vessel is to be named, will have a fuel cargo capacity of 9 tonnes, with all associated pipe-work, and a potable water capacity of 18 tonnes, complete with pumps and associated pipe-work. This required the installation of a 2-frame cofferdam between the fuel and water tanks. As the starboard hull had already been constructed, this involved cutting out a frame, slotting the deck and inserting a bulkhead with associated framing. Our shipbuilding “education” received a substantial boost following a visit by the Irish Shipping Office inspectorate. Whilst the majority of our methods were acceptable we were constructively advised on production improvements.
Here at Meercat Workboats I can honestly say that when any improvements are identified, our staff of mainly Polish welders is exceptionally keen to grasp the opportunity. Our product improves with each vessel that goes out. As with everything these days, the emphasis is on record keeping and quality control. Welder coding, weld procedures and inspection with the requisite backup records have all had to be addressed.
Now, in the first week of July, The final fitout and painting is being completed. All the modifications required by the Irish Authorities have been completed satisfactorily and the crane has been booked for two-week’s time. The vessel will be launched locally for engine trials, inclining and crane testing. The build has gone well and we should be on target for an early delivery.
Seawork 2009
Our stand was very busy, with existing and prospective customers coming to discuss their requirements. Representatives from as far afield as Iceland, Azerbijann and Portugal visited us. On the last day we announced two further sales. Meercat build no.6, for delivery in December 2009, will be going to Island Shipping of Wicklow, Ireland. As stated above, they are also the owners of M5 “Island Meercat”. Meercat No.7, yet to be named has be secured by Jurstaholms Marine Support of Enhörn, Sweden. Stefan Thiger, the company’s principal, has been talking to us for two years about having a vessel, and has flown a Swedish inspector over examine the build of the Meercats. Like the Irish authorities, the Swedish Inspectorate is widely respected for their exacting standards.