Briggs News

Navantia UK has appointed Balloo Hire Centre, part of the Briggs Group, as its preferred hire equipment supplier for the Fleet Solid Support (FSS) program at its Harland & Wolff shipyard, building on a series of recent contracts with local suppliers.Balloo Hire Center, a long-standing partner to the Belfast yard, will support delivery of the FSS program under a service-level agreement covering 2026 to 2028. The agreement secures competitive rates over the period, with annual reviews…

Griffin-Woodhouse, a West Midlands based company, has secured a long-term contract as Key Supplier/Subcontractor to Briggs Marine to supply chain and accessories to the Ministry of Defence (MoD) in UK, Gibraltar, Cyprus, Ascension and Falkland Islands.The contract, which is the single largest in GWEC’s history, has been awarded by Briggs Marine Contractors, a Scottish based company which itself recently secured the MoD’s contract for the Supply and Maintenance of Authority Moorings, Markers and Targets.

Briggs Marine has announced its role as Key Subcontractor to Serco following the recent award of the Royal Navy’s Maritime Services contracts.This milestone marks the continuation of a partnership that has spanned over 17 years, delivering critical marine support services to the UK Ministry of Defence (MOD). The contract will see Briggs deliver Range Safety and Aircrew Training (RSACT) services at a number of locations around the UK.The subcontract is in addition to Brigg’s recent award of its Contract to deliver moorings…

Briggs Marine, a leading provider of marine services, has been awarded a contract with the UK Ministry of Defense (MoD) to supply and maintain Authority Moorings, Markers, and Targets over the next eight years with a forecast revenue of USD$244 million (£182 million).The successful bid is the largest defense contract to be awarded to the Fife-based company to date and forms part of the MoD’s ‘next generation of marine services’ program. It will see Briggs deliver a scheduled maintenance…

Briggs Marine has taken delivery of new maintenance support vessel, MV Forth Constructor, built by Freire Shipyard in Spain. The 40-meter DP2 vessel, designed to Briggs’ specification by Cintranaval in conjunction with Freire Shipyard, will strengthen the company's offering for contracts with U.K. Government and Port and Harbour Authorities, as well as providing services to the offshore wind and wider renewables sector.The primary role of the Forth Constructor will be the servicing of heavy moorings and navigation marks…

MarineNews Editor Joseph Keefe weighs in with a look at the previous five years on the waterfront. It’s not what you think.You might be aware that I stepped away for a moment in late December 2019. The five years that followed, whizzed right by – well, all but that miserable part of being virtually locked in my house for six months during “the Pandemic.” Enough said. Now back in the Editor’s chair here at MarineNews magazine, it is apparent that while some things on the collective waterfront have changed…

On July 5, 2024, Briggs Marine's new Maintenance Support Vessel was launched in Vigo at Freire Shipyard.The vessel was designed by Cintranaval and Freire’s design department, configured to support Briggs’ ongoing contracts with the UK Government, offshore wind farms and commercial ports. The vessel will primarily undertake inspection, servicing, and replacement of Aids to Navigation (AtoN) and heavy inshore moorings in the UK and overseas.It will also handle various tasks such as diving and ROV operations…

Briggs Marine announced its is adding a new pilot vessel to its fleet in response to demand for pilot services within the U.K.Built by Goodchild Marine and scheduled for delivery in March, the Forth Navigator is a 12m version of the now well-established ORC design, incorporating the high levels of performance and crew comfort, Briggs Marine said.From March 2024, the Forth Navigator will be available for charter for a range of activities, including pilot boat duties and harbor patrol either on a short or long-term basis.

The Great Lakes' 2023 shipping season will commence on March 25 with the opening of the Poe Lock at 12:01 a.m., the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Detroit District announced.The operating season is fixed by federal regulation and driven in part by the feasibility of vessels operating in typical Great Lakes ice conditions.The Poe Lock closed January 16 to undergo critical repairs and maintenance during the 10 week-long winter shutdown. Maintenance crews performed a variety of critical tasks on the Poe Lock…

Spain's Freire Shipyard won a contract from the Briggs Marine for the design and construction of a new Maintenance Support Vessel to support Briggs’ ongoing contracts for the inspection, servicing and replacement of navigation marks and heavy inshore moorings, operating as required with an attendant onboard diving team. The new building, which is schedule for delivery in 2024, is 40m long with a diesel-electric DP-2 propulsion system. The ship will be designed to have excellent…

Last year experts raised their eyebrows when the Morrison government announced Australia would abandon its contract for French-built Attack class submarines, in favor of eight nuclear-powered submarines delivered under the AUKUS partnership.Retired Royal Australian Navy Chief Petty Officer Greg Jones was one key individual who questioned whether the choice is appropriate for Australia’s defense needs (at least in the short to medium term).One particularly controversial point is the time it will take for the nuclear submarines to become operational.

U.K.-based offshore services firm Briggs Marine said it has secured a contract to deliver crew transfer vessel (CTV) services to the Neart na Gaoithe (NnG) offshore wind farm, currently under construction 15 kilometers off the Fife coast. The project is jointly owned by EDF Renewables UK and ESB.Utilizing its Damen 2610 vessel Forth Engineer, Briggs Marine will transfer technicians to turbines, substations and construction vessels as well as providing a cargo-carrying capability to support construction and operations.Rob Baker…

Ocean Craft Marine, the manufacturer of Amphibious Rigid Hull Inflatable Boats (RHIBs), has signed a brand ambassador partnership with local Chicago-area boat enthusiasts Ted Widen and Mark Kaplan. Widen and Kaplan will represent Ocean Craft Marine in the Great Lakes region to increase brand awareness and provide sales and marketing of the AMP RHIBs to prospective customers in the Midwest."With a passion for the boating lifestyle, both Ted and Mark are the perfect ambassadors for the Ocean Craft Marine brand and our Amphibious RHIBs…

The newest hovercraft from Neoteric Hovercraft Inc. (Neoteric), the Hovertrek II, will be exclusively powered by Briggs & Stratton's Vanguard BIG BLOCK 40.0 Gross HP EFI - Marine engine.Designed for volunteer rescue departments and recreational hovercraft use, the two-passenger Hovertrek II includes side-by-side seating, increased thrust and low weight. The enhanced controllability, storage capacity and low weight of the two-passenger vessel make it an ideal training vehicle for…

Briggs Marine has acquired Forth Engineer, a Damen FCS 2610 fast crew supply vessel, bringing its wholly-owned fleet to a total of 40. "This addition to the fleet allows Briggs Marine to extend its remit further into the renewable energies sector and offer another specialised service option for offshore wind farms," Briggs Marine said.The new addition to the fleet is a catamaran design vessel featuring a Twin Axe bow, it is designed to carry up to 12 personnel plus crew, along with equipment and light cargo, at speeds of over 24 knots.

Sealink Travel Group has taken delivery of Coolgaree Cat, a newly built passenger vessel developed specifically for the Palm Island and Magnetic Island runs, operated from Townsville in Queensland, Northern Australia. The new ferry was handed over from Australian builder Aluminium Marine earlier this month ahead of its official entry into service this past weekend.The 32-meter catamaran was developed by marine engineering design firm Incat Crowther in close conjunction with the operator Sealink to offer a number of improvements over those currently in service on the run.

Offshore Renewable Energy (ORE) Catapult, the UK's flagship technology innovation and research center for offshore wind, wave and tidal energy, has launched a new industry-backed national technology accelerator program.The program is designed to support innovative SMEs to commercialize new technologies that will enhance the UK’s offshore wind supply chain, enabling greater UK content, whilst supporting cost reduction.The Launch Academy initiative will focus on near-to-market solutions and is supported by eight industrial and business support specialists including Red Rock Power, Siemens Gamesa Renewable Energy (SGRE), Barclays Eagle Labs, investment body Green Angel Syndicate, accountancy firm BDO, IP specialists Murgitroyd, law firm Shepherd and Wedderburn and ScottishPower Renewables.

UK-based marine services company Briggs Marine Contractors (BMC) has been awarded a framework agreement for the underwater inspection and maintenance of SSE Hydro and thermal power generation sites.Under the contract, the company will provide services throughout Scotland and the United Kingdom for three years.The Briggs Marine Dive Team, who are approved for in-water inspection by ABS, Lloyds Register, and DNV-GL, has extensive experience working in remote and challenging locations and will be bringing their collective skills and knowledge to this contract by delivering a sustainable and cost effective solution to the client.Craig English…

British multinational defence technology company Qinetiq collaborates with the Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA) to investigate how drone technology can strengthen their Search and Rescue (SAR) missions.Small unmanned air systems are delivering disruptive change across the industry. Ten years ago what was predominantly a niche hobby, or military technology, has now found wide commercial success. Anyone can easily have an eye in the sky and recent publicity is changing the way organisations view their problems.The Maritime Coastguard Agency (MCA) oversees search and rescue operations in the UK. Their volunteer Coastguard Rescue Teams respond to time-critical calls and work tirelessly to save lives.Funded by QinetiQ’s Internal Research and Development…

3 One Day Workshops - Southampton UK April 2-4, 2019As the digital age rapidly arrives all around us, it (or IT) may have overlooked that safety at sea is still all about people. To meet the changing requirements of modern fleets, smart organizations and specialist equipment manufacturers now need to work together to blend traditional safety methods with innovation.A unique program of three specialist safety days for the sub IMO / sub 80 feet professional sector is being held back-to-back at the Grand Harbor overlooking the port of Southampton UK this April.

U.K. based marine services company the Briggs Group announced it has acquired a consortium of three marine companies in Canada: Foreshore Technologies, Balanced Environmental and Ocean Tech. The three companies are based in North Vancouver, B.C. and have been trading for 25 years.Foreshore Technologies Inc. is an underwater survey and inspection company that specializes in diving, environmental survey, structural survey and marine operations, utilizing innovative equipment and platforms for a broad range of clients.Balanced Environmental Services Inc.

U.K. marine contractor Briggs Marine said it is set to further increase its fleet with the delivery of a new vessel following trials earlier this month. A total of three ORC 171 Fast Pilot vessels were ordered in 2016 and have been designed by French naval architect Pantocarene for the builder, Goodchild Marine in Great Yarmouth. The 17 meter craft Kittiwake, which is the first of the three vessels to be completed, wrapped up trials early May and is set to join Briggs’ long-term contract in the Port of Liverpool, as part of a fleet renewal. Further orders are in the pipeline.

U.K. marine contractor Briggs Marine is expanding in the North West of England with new water-side facilities in Port of Liverpool. The 500 sq m building will allow Briggs to offer a greater range of services, and will assist the company in further developing its offering in renewables, sub-marine engineering and port services in this busy region. The company currently has approximately 80 personnel based in the region, with plans to increase this number as a result of the growing presence and anticipated future work.