Energy Support News

Offshore energy support vessel operator Seacat Services has partnered up with marine engineering firm Mainstay Marine Solutions, to build the 20th vessel in its fleet, and the fifth Seacat Chartwell Ambitious design.The partnership comes amidst ongoing complexities in the UK shipbuilding market, where skill shortages and a lack of financial support from the UK Government have driven up manufacturing costs and derailed local content goals across the industry, Seacat Services, which specializes in offshore crew transfers…

Mainprize Offshore, an offshore services company, is installing Reygar's BareFLEET vessel monitoring system on seven of its semi-SWATH crew transfer vessels (CTVs) to make its growing fleet more efficient and improve its operational performance. Following a successful proof-of-concept trial on one vessel, MO6, in October, additional installations are now planned, with a out expected across the new build fleet as the vessels arrive. BareFLEET will be used to monitor key vessel measurements, including navigational activity, vessel motion sickness, and stability during passenger transfers, plus the performance and fuel efficiency of engines and other critical machinery.

U.K.-based Chartwell Marine is introducing its expanded range of offshore energy support vessel (OESV) designs ahead of Seawork 2022 this month.The new design range, spanning classes A to D outlined below, offers a foundation for the integration of advanced technologies and low carbon propulsion solutions, including hybrid and electric as well as BAR FOSS (Foil Optimised Stability System).Chartwell Ambitious: Chartwell Marine’s original flagship crew transfer vessel (CTV) design.

CrewSmart, the end-to-end management system for maritime operations, has hired Commercial Director Anna Saunders to support the global rollout of its software platform to maritime businesses. Saunders joins from offshore energy support vessel (OESV) operator Seacat Services, where she led the company’s crew management team.Christian Adams, Founder & Technical Director, CrewSmart, said, “Crew and fleet managers need to be on the top of their game to mitigate the growing compliance risks associated with modern maritime operations.

Offshore vessel designer Chartwell Marine on Wednesday announced the launch of its "market-first" offshore energy support vessel (OESV) with hydrofoils, in partnership with marine design & engineering consultancy, BAR Technologies (BAR Tech). Seacat Sceptre, built at the Diverse Marine yard in Cowes, Isle of Wight, for OESV operator, Seacat Services, will now undergo sea trials prior to its handover."Hydrofoils, re-popularized and matured as a technology in high-end yacht racing…

U.S. offshore energy support vessel company Atlantic Wind Transfers (AWT) has chosen CrewSmart's management system to ensure compliance and set the benchmark for fleet and personnel management efficiency in the growing U.S. offshore wind market.According to CrewSmart, its digitally-optimized management software will allow AWT to streamline its reporting and analysis across its fleet for both crew and shoreside personnel, while unlocking efficiency improvements through instant access to organized data.

Unique collaboration on green fuels, new propulsion technology and hull-form optimization in the workboat sector will lay the foundation for global emissions reduction efforts.The workboat sector, comprising one of the strongest categories of the UK’s Ship Register and including many Small to Medium size Enterprises (SMEs), is leading the charge in developing innovative technologies that will ultimately reduce emissions throughout the wider maritime industry. This is according to the Workboat Association (WA)…

Two U.S.-based maritime & offshore services and logistics companies Crowley and Watco, are teaming up in the space of the emerging offshore wind industry in the country.In a statement on Tuesday, the two firms said they'd create a single-source terminal and supply chain management solution to support the emerging offshore wind industry."With the growing number of wind projects planned for U.S. waters, the partnership brings together industry-leading project management and logistics experts who can provide a “one-stop-shop” for owners…

Offshore energy support vessel operator Seacat Services has taken delivery of Seacat Weatherly, the first of two new crew transfer vessels (CTV) ordered from the Diverse Marine shipyard in Cowes, U.K.Handed over despite the challenges and pressures created by the current coronavirus lockdown, Seacat Weatherly completed sea trials and has gone straight on to her first charter contract at a major U.K. offshore wind project.Seacat Weatherly and its sister vessel Seacat Rainbow currently…

Vessel designer Chartwell Marine has partnered up with naval architects BAR Technologies, to support in the delivery of what it says will be the next generation of offshore wind crew transfer vessels (CTVs)."The partnership will drive forward the development of new vessel designs ranging from 30m CTVs through to 60m service accommodation and transfer vessels (SATVs), making use of BAR’s patented foil optimization and stabilization system (FOSS)," Chartwell Marine said Wednesday.The partnership will combine Chartwell’s structural…

Port of Blyth, one of the UK’s leading offshore energy support hubs, and its partner, Energy Central, has supported the announcement from the UK Government of a 10-week consultation on its ‘freeports vision’.The Port of Blyth and businesses working on the estuary could benefit from the establishment of UK Freeports and recognizes the potential benefits of a free trade zone could bring to the region, particularly given the development of Energy Central in Blyth.Designed to create the perfect environment for inward investment from the offshore and renewable energy sector, Energy Central is a unique partnership between the Port, Northumberland County Council…

By Sverre Alvik, Energy transition program director, DNV GLIt is not too good to be true, it is the economic reality that lies ahead of us. The energy transition facing us in the coming decades is an affordable one. In fact, the future energy system is not only affordable, it is cheaper than the energy system we have today. And this creates an opportunity to invest more to achieve the future we want.Let me be more precise: in just one generation, humanity will be spending a much lower share of its GDP on energy than it does today. The main reason is not energy prices, but energy efficiency. Whether you believe in the phenomenon of peak energy…

Offshore energy support vessel (OESV) operator Seacat Services said it has commenced a long-term contract with Equinor, which will see three OESVs support the ongoing operations and maintenance (O&M) of the 88-turbine Sheringham Shoal Offshore Wind Farm in the UK North Sea.Throughout the contract, two of Seacat Services’ 21-meter vessels – Seacat Endeavour and Seacat Reliance – will operate on site all year round, and between March and October they will be joined on site by a…

The Center of Excellence for Offshore Renewable Energy at the State University of New York Maritime College and the Maritime Industry Museum at Fort Schuyler, are hosting the Ocean Wind Energy Conference on Thursday, September 26, 2019 at the Maritime Academic Center, SUNY Maritime College.Serving as the keynote speaker is Alana Duerr, Ph.D., Director, Offshore Wind North America, DNV GL - Renewables Advisory, who will offer insight to opportunities for maritime industry support of Ocean Wind Energy development and sustainment for many years to come.

Dynamically Positioned for the Future, the Texas A&M Maritime Academy takes its place among our 2019 MN100 best of industry winners. It's 'no accident' that today's early adoption of DP curriculum puts the school and its students front and center when it comes time to man tomorrow's futuristic offshore energy support tonnage.Late last year, the Offshore Service Vessel Dynamic Positioning Authority (OSVDPA) announced that the Texas A&M Maritime Academy at Texas A&M University at Galveston was now the first maritime academy in the nation accredited to provide OSVDPA courses to its cadets.

NYC Economic Development Corp. Signs on as Event Sponsor.The Center of Excellence for Offshore Renewable Energy at the State University of New York Maritime College and the Maritime Industry Museum at Fort Schuyler, proudly announce their partnership in hosting of the Ocean Wind Energy Conference on Thursday, September 26, 2019 at 9 a.m. in the Maritime Academic Center, SUNY Maritime College. Featured presentations by industry leaders such as Keynote Speaker Dr. Alana Duerr, Director of DNV GL…

Offshore energy support vessel (OESV) operator Seacat Services signed a  deal to support the construction phase of Triton Knoll offshore wind farm.The contract, which includes options for further vessel charters, will initially see two Seacat Services OESVs – one 26-meter and one 24-meter catamaran – operating out of Triton Knoll’s new Grimsby construction base, providing specialist crew transfer and logistical support at the 90-turbine, 857MW project off the UK’s East Coast.With offshore construction set to commence in Q1 2020…

Offshore support vessel operator Seacat Services has taken up its option to build a second multimillion-dollar Chartwell 24 catamaran for the offshore wind sector. Seacat Rainbow, designed by pioneer in next generation vessel design, Chartwell Marine, will enter construction immediately at Isle of Wight shipyard Diverse Marine.Recent multi-vessel contract wins and charter extensions have led to high levels of forward utilization for the Seacat Services fleet, creating a strong commercial case for further expansion.

Offshore energy support vessel operator Seacat Services has extended the vessel inspection agreement with Specialist Marine Consultants (SMC), the health and safety advisory to the marine and energy industry.The agreement marks the second year that SMC has been contracted to carry out the Marine Inspection for Small Workboats (eMISW) for the 14-strong Seacat Services fleet.The eMISW is an annual assessment of metrics including vessel integrity, stability, and life-saving facilities. A valid eMISW report with at least 6 months left to run is generally a prerequisite for vessels under 24m and 500 tonnes starting contracts in the offshore energy industry.

The subchapter M towboat rules, safety management systems, and an emerging culture shift on the inland waterways brings with it a fresh look at how to manage risk. Is it time for P&I clubs to return to brown water? And should inland operators welcome them home?A mass exodus from the inland marine sector by P&I clubs in the mid-1990’s was precipitated by many things. Today, these very same vessels have been put under the subchapter M regime, and most are adapting SMS as a culture in the process. Moreover, and without a doubt, the environmental record of this sector has improved 99% since the 1970’s. As all of that unfolds, the P&I clubs have begun to look at this sector more closely and…

Offshore energy support vessel (OESV) operator Seacat Services has signed a multimillion-dollar contract to build a new next-generation catamaran for deployment in the offshore wind sector.Seacat Weatherly, designed by Southampton-based naval architect Chartwell Marine, will be constructed by Isle of Wight firms Diverse Marine and Aluminium Marine Consultants (AMC) in Cowes.The contract includes an option for a further vessel, which would see Seacat Weatherly joined by a sister vessel in the Seacat Services fleet.Scheduled for completion in March 2020, Seacat Weatherly is set to be the first C

U.K.-based offshore energy support vessel (OESV) operator Seacat Services has installed advanced remote monitoring systems across its fleet in an effort to glean a new level of insight into the operational performance of its vessels.‘Digitalization’ of operational practices, coupling remote data collection with advanced monitoring, is gaining pace as offshore wind firms throughout the supply chain aim to keep tabs on the performance of project critical infrastructure, optimize O&M and construction procedures…

MarineNews showcases the ten best of North America’s 2018 workboat deliveries. Domestic shipyard production is robust, innovative and getting greener. And, that translates into two kinds of ‘green.’As the domestic offshore energy support sector slowly awakens, other sectors have been happy to take the spotlight in its absence. As always, and if a hull was delivered in 2018, we took a look at it, with several areas as a focus for inclusion into this edition. For my part, I’m always excited when the U.S. boatbuilding sector can deliver for a foreign buyer. We’ve checked that box here. And, that’s because we can compete on price, quality and when we do…