Atlantic Offshore Charters Nexen Rescue Vessel

Aberdeen-based standby vessel operator Atlantic Offshore Rescue has commissioned a £6 million vessel for a long-term charter with Nexen Petroleum UK Ltd. (Nexen).

Thirty new jobs have been created as a result of the new vessel, Ocean Tay, a Class A Emergency Response and Rescue Vessel (ERRV), which will provide emergency vessel cover for Nexen’s flagship Golden Eagle Area Development in the North Sea. The charter will last a minimum of two years.

Atlantic Offshore Rescue is part of the Atlantic Offshore Group, which is based in Norway. Atlantic Offshore Rescue Ltd. employs 350 people (approximately 330 seamen and 20 office-based staff) and provides multi-role offshore and emergency rescue and response vessels for many of the oil majors operating in the North Sea.

John Bryce, managing director of Atlantic Offshore Rescue, said: “This is a significant contract for the company and is one of a number of agreements with major operators, both retained and new clients, which we secured throughout 2013.”

Ocean Tay underwent conversion at Wear Dock & Engineering Co., Sunderland, to become one of a fleet of 12 ERRVs Atlantic Offshore Rescue manages out of Aberdeen. The 63-metre vessel has the capacity to accommodate a crew of 20 people and as a Class A ERRV can rescue in excess of 300 persons.

Bryce continued, “We worked closely with our contracted partners to successfully convert Ocean Tay with the utmost attention over a three month period to meet the needs of Nexen. We are very proud of the outcome.”

Atlantic Offshore Group has invested approximately £300 million in its fleet modernisation programme in the last three years and this is the second of two high-specification ERRVs which the company has commissioned in recent months. The first, Ocean Troll, is the U.K.’s most powerful emergency response and rescue vessel and is Atlantic Offshore Rescue’s principal relief vessel supporting the fleet in the North Sea. In addition the company has two ERRV/TAVs under construction for delivery in 2014 & 2015.

Bryce said, “Sound emergency response is absolutely crucial for all in the oil and gas sector and we aspire to provide the very best vessel support in the North Sea.”

Inclusive of Atlantic Offshore Rescue’s 12 vessels, Atlantic Offshore Group currently operates a fleet of 24 ERRVs and PSVs and manages further PSVs on behalf of third parties.

The group’s aim is to continue to expand its capabilities within both the Norwegian and British sector of the North Sea and to be able to provide cross-border solutions reflecting the needs of its clients for both ERRVs and PSVs.