Chase Boat News

Incat Crowther announced the delivery of Shadow Cat HODOR, significant in that it is the first in the Shadow Cat range which for Incat Crowther.Design and naval architecture was by Incat Crowther, project management and technical consultation by Robert Smith of YCTS and construction by Astilleros Armón at their Burela shipyard in Spain.HODOR was customized to carry the specific equipment and supplies to support and enhance the owner’s mothership capabilities, and the design uses engineering of hulls proven in offshore platform service…

In the wake of Tropical Cyclone Pam, which hit landfall on March 13, 2015, latest reports indicate that more than 65,000 people are now homeless and over 110,000 are left without safe drinking water in Vanuatu. Australia's Rivergate Marina and Shipyard, working in conjunction with YachtAid Global, is doing what they can to provide relief to the disaster affected country. YachtAid representatives and activist are on the ground in Vanuatu and report that “Rivergate’s support comes a critical time” for the community. The donation made by Rivergate has made a substantial impact already.

Two extreme AC72 foiling catamarans with wing sails went head-to-head at over 40 knots in San Francisco Bay, California. The teams were competing in the 2013 Americas Cup Challenge which took place from September 7-21, 2013. Anyone watching the first few days of Americas Cup sailing will know that it looked like Emirates Team New Zealand had a seemingly untouchable lead – then out of the blue Oracle Team USA completed one of the greatest comebacks in sport to win the 34th America’s Cup.

Norway-based boat handling system and specialized davit supplier Vestdavit was contracted to supply work boat and man overboard davits for four specially designed chase vessels which will support Norwegian seismic major PGS’ fleet of seismic ships. The ships are to be built at Turkey’s Besiktas Gemi Insa A. S.  yard for Faroe Island shipowner P/F Thor, which has chartered the vessels to PGS. Vestdavit Area Sales Manager Sven Arild Wågsæther said, “The workboat davit for each vessel will be our PLR-15000 davit with a SWL of 15 tons.

Emirates Team New Zealand’s ‘AC72’ catamaran is on its way to San Francisco to compete in the America’s Cup regatta, courtesy of sponsor Maersk Line. The Port of Auckland witnessed a spectacular sight recently as the massive 72-foot multihull yacht, named ‘New Zealand’, was hoisted out of the water and placed safely onto the deck of the Maersk Jubail. It’s break bulk cargo to Maersk Line, but to Emirates Team New Zealand (ETNZ), twice winner of the Americas Cup, it’s the start of their journey to win back the coveted trophy.

GAC UK & GAC Seaforth overcome challenges to deliver cargo to LakeTanganyika, Burundi, for Surestream Petroleum oil exploration. Independent oil exploration company Surestream Petroleum Ltd, headquartered in Reading, UK, contacted energy sector specialists GAC UK for help with shipping 60 tons of cargo to their seismic operations base on Lake Tanganyika, located to the west of Tanzania and also bordered by Burundi, the Democratic Republic of Congo and Zambia. The shipment comprised fabricated steel sections, stores, tools, chemicals, high value seismic equipment and a 10m chase boat. GAC was also appointed as the main agent to air-freight stores to Burundi and for a high-priority task to andfrom Malawi.

The Unlimited is the 20th Incat Crowther design built by Richardson Devine Marine. A 78.7 ft catamaran work boat, the Unlimited was built for Offshore Unlimited, who provide comprehensive offshore services, including oil rig supply, survey ship re-supply and chase boat services, around Australia. The platform is based on the successful Incat Crowther catamaran hull form which has been heavily utilized in ferries, motor yachts and work boats around the world over the last decade.

Incat Crowther will design a 24m Catamaran Work Boat for Offshore Unlimited, which is to be built at the new Richardson Devine Marine facility in Hobart, Tasmania. The design will be based on Incat Crowther's recent successes in catamaran work boat design. The vessel will be a 24 m high speed catamaran work boat capable of carrying 50 tons of deadweight with a service speed of 26 knots. The main deck, which will have a carrying capacity of 24 tons, will be arranged for multiple uses and will include a moonpool for exploration services and the ability to carry a 20 ft. container.

The first ever unassisted crossing of the North Atlantic just south of the arctic circle in a small, open, Rigid Inflatable Boat (RIB) has been completed by a team of dedicated adventurers led by Bear Grylls. Traveling from Nova Scotia to John O'Groats via a route which passed just south of the Arctic Circle, the expedition, which has raised around $80,000 for the UK young persons' charity, The Prince's Trust, has been completed a week ahead of schedule despite encountering icebergs and horrendous weather conditions. The expedition, which involved a five-man team sailing the open boat across 3,000 miles of the North Atlantic on a route that saw landfall in Halifax…

Having built over 200 aluminum RHIB's, Silver Ships, Inc. / AMBAR Marine, has grabbed a foothold in the design and construction of aluminum RHIB's - all of which are constructed in accordance with SOLAS regulations. The U.S. Coast Guard operates 90 AMBAR Marine Non-Standard RHIB's and the U.S. Navy Sea Systems Command operates 40 AMBAR Marine Special Service RHIB's. Silver Ships, Inc./AMBAR Marine constructs approximately 43 vessels per year, 80 percent of which are RHIB's while the remaining 20% have been Patrol/Security boats, and various work boats ranging from 23-48 ft. (7-14.6 m). Upon discovery, in 1966 following extensive R&D, Lanness McKee, Sr. uncovered the secret to the most rugged, unsinkable marine construction in the market.

Two 12-m chase boats aboard the Australian-based mega yacht Arctic P has been successfully converted from stern drives to waterjet propulsion. Hamilton Jet, local jet distributor Wiltrading Pty Ltd. and boat builder Stebercraft Pty Ltd. worked closely to retrofit the craft as quickly as possible. The first of the two chase boats, which are deck mounted on the 288.7 ft. (88 m) Arctic P, was urgently converted late last year, when one of the chase boat's stern drives with surface piercing props broke down again. Waterjets were mentioned as a possible solution, so Hamilton Jet's New South Wales distributor Wiltrading was contacted. After assessing the requirements twin Hamilton Model HJ292 waterjets were recommended as the best option to go with the original 370 hp Sabre engines.

AB Inflatables offers its Profile line of aluminum hull RIBs. The rugged, 3.28-mil hulls are lighter than comparable fiberglass hulls and are perfectly suited for operating in lakes and rivers or along rocky coastlines. In these environments, the aluminum bottoms also help resist abrasions from coral and sandy beaches. An extra air chamber between the hull and the floor keeps the Profile models buoyant even when flooded. The large-diameter tubes of the boats are made from 1670 decitex Hypalon/Neoprene fabric. They include wear patches along the top and a heavy-duty rubrail. Decks are non-skid and sealed to the hull with epoxy. The A12…