Marine Link
Tuesday, March 19, 2024
SUBSCRIBE

Isle Of Wight News

15 Feb 2024

ICCB Orders 14-meter CTV

(Image: Rockabill Marine Design)

Irish Commercial Charter Boats (ICCB) has placed an order for a new 14-meter crew transfer vessel (CTV) to support offshore wind operations in Irish and U.K. waters.The vessel, designed by Rockabill Marine Design (RMD), based in Southampton, U.K., will be built by Aluminium Marine Consultants in Isle of Wight.Th custom vessel will be capable of carrying 12 passengers and 1 tonne of deck cargo. Designed in accordance with the MSO P5 passenger boat license and the MCA workboat code 3…

28 Jul 2023

Grafmarine Solar Energy Cells Tested on Carisbrooke Vessel

(Photo: Carisbrooke Shipping)

An international shipping company will install revolutionary solar cells on its vessels to manage and store renewable energy following successful trials in Equatorial waters.Carisbrooke Shipping Ltd, which operates a fleet of multi-purpose vessels from offices in Cowes on the Isle of Wight, signed a letter of intent with Anglesey and Manchester-based Grafmarine to utilize the cutting-edge NanoDeck AI Solar tile management solution.The companies have worked in partnership over the last 12 months…

14 Apr 2023

Wight Shipyard Launches Hybrid Ferry for Uber Boat by Thames Clippers

(Photo: Wight Shipyard)

British aluminum shipbuilder Wight Shipyard has launched Earth Clipper, the first in a series of series of two new Clipper-class hybrid passenger vessels for Uber Boat by Thames Clippers.One of the key features of the new ferry is its hybrid propulsion system, which combines electric and diesel engines to reduce emissions and minimize our environmental impact making it one of the most eco-friendly options for river transport in London.The hybrid design will allow the new Uber…

10 Feb 2023

HST Marine's Second Hybrid-Electric CTV Welcomed by British Maritime Leaders

HST Frances docked at St Katharine Docks, London ©HST Marine

Offshore crew transfer firm HST Marine has welcomed the arrival of its new UK-built hybrid-electric crew transfer vessel (CTV), HST Frances.The ceremony was attended by Nusrat Ghani MP, UK Minister of State (Dept. for Business and Trade and the Cabinet Office) and senior British maritime industry leaders.HST Frances is HST Marine’s second hybrid electric CTV. The 25-meter vessels can carry 12-24 industrial personnel, and its hybrid electric propulsion system cuts fuel consumption by 30% compared to similar CTVs powered by diesel engines, the company, owned by Purus Marine, said Friday.

30 Dec 2022

Tech File: A Robotic Reach in Offshore Wind

STL’s Autonomous Synchronised Stabilised Platform being put through its paces at the University of Plymouth’s COAST Laboratory. Photo courtesy STL

With a background in subsea and offshore, coming up with new ideas is the norm’ for UK-based engineering consultancy STL (Submarine Technology Limited), writes Elaine Maslin.The last few years have been no different. The company has been focusing on ship-based robotics, including robotic arms. These aren’t just any robotic arms – they’re motion compensated systems for deploying/recovering people and robots to and from fixed or moving objects. That could be wind technicians to…

30 Nov 2022

A Robotic Reach in Offshore Wind

STL’s Autonomous Synchronised Stabilised Platform being put through its paces at the University of Plymouth’s COAST Laboratory. Photo from STL

With a background in subsea and offshore, coming up with new ideas is the norm for UK-based engineering consultancy STL (Submarine Technology Limited), writes Elaine Maslin.The last few years have been no different. The company has been focusing on ship-based robotics, including robotic arms. These aren’t just any robotic arms – they’re motion-compensated systems for deploying/recovering people and robots to and from fixed or moving objects.That could be wind technicians to an…

14 Nov 2022

UK Navy Rescues Four From Sinking Yacht

HMS Diamond (Photo: UK Royal Navy)

A U.K. Royal Navy warship assisted in the rescue of four people from a yacht that was taking on water and at risk of sinking in the English Channel near the Isle of Wight.Last week, the Portsmouth-based Type 45 destroyer HMS Diamond answered a Mayday call from a civilian yacht that was taking on a significant amount of water while sailing from Beaulieu River in the New Forest toward Honfleur in France.Diamond was in the area after leaving its home port and coordinated and conducted the rescue operation…

10 Oct 2022

UK Royal Navy Aircraft Carrier Heads to Rosyth for Repairs

U.K. Royal Navy aircraft carrier HMS Prince of Wales (Photo: U.K. Royal Navy)

The U.K. Royal Navy aircraft carrier HMS Prince of Wales has left Portsmouth en route to Rosyth where the £3 billion aircraft carrier will receive repairs after breaking down off the Isle of Wight in August.The 65,000-tonne warship will enter Babcock's dry dock in Rosyth where it will undergo repairs to its starboard propeller shaft which suffered a mechanical defect as the ship left for New York. Inspections by divers revealed the shaft coupling had failed. Since the aircraft carrier returned to Portsmouth Naval Base in early September…

03 Mar 2022

RWE Building 'World's First' Amphibious Vessel for Shallow Water Wind Farms

Credit: RWE

German renewable energy industry giant RWE, in partnership with Commercial Rib Charters (CRC), is building "a world-first" amphibious vessel for reaching offshore wind farms in shallow waters."The unique crew transfer vessel has initially been designed to reach turbines at Scroby Sands [wind farm in the UK ], which have become stranded by the natural rising tide of the sandbank on which it is built. The fully seaworthy vessel, which can also drive on land, provides a unique access solution for some of the industry’s first-generation assets affected by very dynamic seabed conditions…

08 Feb 2022

Shipbuilding Merger: Wight Shipyard and OCEA Reach All-share Deal

(Photo: The Wight Shipyard Co)

British aluminum shipbuilder The Wight Shipyard Co. on Tuesday announced an all-share merger with France-based shipbuilder OCEA to create a combined group aiming to capitalize on the fast ferry and offshore renewable energy markets opportunities. The deal is scheduled to complete by March 2022 and will see The Wight Shipyard Co. nearly double in size.Peter Morton, CEO of The Wight Shipyard Co., said, “This is a transformational deal for The Wight Shipyard Co. and for the Isle of Wight, confirming the resurgence of the shipbuilding industry in the United Kingdom.

26 Jan 2022

Seacat's New Offshore Wind Support Vessel Sporting Yacht Racing Tech

Credit: Chartwell Marine

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…

03 Jan 2022

Diverse Marine to Build New Vessel for Caister Volunteer Lifeboat Service

(Image: Diverse Marine)

Caister Volunteer Lifeboat Service Ltd. announced it has signed a new vessel construction agreement with shipbuilder Diverse Marine for a first of class 14-meter Medina Class Lifeboat. The vessel has commenced build and will be delivered in 2022.After a competitive international tender process using a design from Walker Marine Design, the construction of the vessel at Cowes on the Isle of Wight completes the evolutionary process that saw the original Medina Class Lifeboat built…

28 Oct 2021

Wightlink Aims to Build All-electric Ferry

Wightlink chief executive Keith Greenfield with England’s first hybrid energy ferry, Victoria of Wight (Photo: Wightlink)

Wightlink, operator of England's first hybrid-electric ferry, said it is striving to put into service another national first: a passenger vessel that will run on all-electric power.The ferry company that connects the Isle of Wight with the south coast introduced the hybrid-electric Victoria of Wight in 2018. The vessel operates round-the-clock between Portsmouth and Fishbourne, carrying passengers, cars and freight using a combination of conventional and battery power that generates 20% less carbon emissions than a traditional diesel-powered ship.Since 2007…

13 Aug 2021

HST Marine Takes Delivery of Hybrid CTV

 HST Ella - Credit: HST Marine

UK-based offshore crew transfer vessel operator HST Marine has taken delivery of HST Ella, a hybrid crew transfer vessel (CTV).The vessel, designed by naval architects from Chartwell Marine, is the first hybrid Chartwell 24 vessel to hit the water, following its completion at the local Isle of Wight shipyard Diverse Marine.Tom Nevin, Chief Executive Officer, HST said:"“Rapidly maturing hybrid technology means that environmental consciousness can sit hand in hand with operational excellence…

24 Mar 2021

HST Orders Three Crew Transfer Vessels

Credit: HST

UK-based offshore crew transfer vessels provider High Speed Transfers (HST) said Wednesday it had ordered three new crew transfer vessels.The company ordered two BARTech 30 CTVs from marine engineering consultancy, BAR Technologies, and an additional hybrid Chartwell 24, with BAR Technologies’ Foil Optimised Stability System (FOSS) from Chartwell Marine. The vessels will be built at Diverse Marine, on the Isle of Wight, UK."As offshore wind technology continues to evolve, and projects are developed further out to sea…

27 Oct 2020

The Real Life of Seafarers Like Those on ‘Hijacked’ Tanker Nave Andromeda

The suspected hijacking of the oil tanker Nave Andromeda off the coast of the Isle of Wight has captivated the press. While the heroic efforts of members of the Special Boat Service in resolving the situation have been highlighted, little public attention has been paid to the seafarers working onboard the tanker who were caught up in the incident.At around 10 a.m. on October 25 the captain of the Nave Andromeda set off a security alert reporting that seven stowaways onboard had turned violent and were threatening the crew after the crew attempted to detain the stowaways in a cabin. The vessel was several miles off the coast of the Isle of Wight…

27 Oct 2020

UK Police Questioning Stowaways Involved in Tanker Incident

British police were granted more time to question seven men arrested after hostile stowaways aboard an oil tanker in the English Channel prompted special forces to storm the vessel on Sunday.“Officers have been granted more time by Southampton Magistrates Court to question seven men as we continue to lead the investigation into the maritime security incident on board the Nave Andromeda off the coast of the Isle of Wight on Sunday 25 October,” police said in a statement.The seven men, who are all Nigerian nationals, were arrested on suspicion of seizing or exercising control of a ship by use of threats or force, and will remain in custody until the evening of Wednesday, October 28.Reporting by William James, Editing by Paul Sandle

26 Oct 2020

Tanker Operator Thanks UK for Storming Vessel after Stowaways Turned Hostile

The operator of an oil tanker stormed in the English Channel by British special forces thanked the authorities on Monday for their timely response, saying help was requested after seven stowaways who boarded in Nigeria turned hostile.Troops from the Special Boat Service, Britain's elite naval special forces unit, boarded the Greek-operated Nave Andromeda near the Isle of Wight off southern England after the master of the ship said he was concerned about the safety of his crew.Defense Secretary Ben Wallace and Home Secretary Priti Patel authorized the armed forces to board the tanker "to safeguard life and secure a ship that was subject to suspected hijacking", the defense ministry said.Sources with knowledge of the situation aboard the vessel said it was not a hijacking or hostage-taking.

26 Oct 2020

UK Special Forces Storm Oil Tanker, Detain Stowaways in English Channel

British special forces stormed a Greek-operated oil tanker in the English channel on Sunday to wrestle control of the vessel from seven stowaways who had threatened the crew in a suspected hijacking.Troops from the Special Boat Service, a navy special forces unit whose headquarters in just a few miles away from where the vessel began showing signs of distress, boarded the Nave Andromeda near the Isle of Wight off southern England.Defense Secretary Ben Wallace and Home Secretary Priti Patel authorized the armed forces to board the ship “to safeguard life and secure a ship that was subject to suspected hijacking”, the defense ministry said.“Armed forces have gained control of the ship and seven individuals have been detained,” the ministry said.

10 Sep 2020

Wight Shipyard Delivers Four Ferries Simultaneously

(Photo: Wight Shipyard Co)

Wight Shipyard Co said it has built and delivered four ferries simultaneously from its yard in Cowes, Isle of Wight, for a Maltese tour operator.The order, WSC’s largest ferry export order to date, consists of two 20-meter and two 33-meter lightweight ferries, designed by One2Three Naval Architects.Jo Daly, COO, WSC, said the four ferries were produced within a year, despite the restrictions and changes to working brought about by the worldwide pandemic COVID-19.The bespoke vessels for Captain Morgan Holdings Ltd…

16 Jul 2020

Red Funnel Gains DNV GL COVID-19 Statement of Compliance

(File photo: Red Funnel)

U.K. ferry operator Red Funnel said it is the world’s first domestic ferry operator to receive the DNV GL COVID-19 Statement of Compliance. The assessment certifies that Red Funnel has established reasonable measures to safeguard passengers, employees and crew from the COVID-19 infection.“The COVID-19 outbreak has had a major impact on passenger vessels across Europe. As lockdown measures begin to relax in the U.K., as well as in the rest of the region, ferry operators need to demonstrate that the right measures are in place to keep passengers and crew safe…

01 Jul 2020

High Speed Transfers Orders Hybrid Crew Transfer Vessel

Image Credit: Chartwell Marine

High Speed Transfers, a UK-based offshore Crew Transfer Vessels (CTV) provider,  is expanding its fleet with a new hybrid CTV.The company has awarded a contract to Diverse Marine & Chartwell Marine Ltd to deliver the new hybrid Chartwell 24, “HST Ella”. The Crew Transfer vessel will be built locally on the Isle of Wight by the team at Diverse Marine.Chartwell Marine, the company providing the design, said the vessel would provide dedicated support for the offshore wind sector…

12 Dec 2019

BOATBUILDING: From Estonia with Love

The view from the wheelhouse of Baltic Workboats pilot boat. Baltic Workboats has entered the US domestic boatbuilding game with this new entry. CREDIT: Baltic Workboats

Lyman-Morse Boatbuilding, the classic Maine boat designer and builder will build to Baltic Workboats design for the domestic workboat market.Lyman-Morse Boatbuilding, the classic Maine boat designer and builder will announce at this year’s International WorkBoat Show that it has entered into the domestic workboat market as the Jones Act builder for the Estonian, Baltic Workboats wave piercing pilot boat, currently popular with Danish and Belgian pilots.How do you feel about taking on something as unusual as building a pilot boat designed and built in Estonia…

Subscribe for
Maritime Reporter E-News

Maritime Reporter E-News is the maritime industry's largest circulation and most authoritative ENews Service, delivered to your Email five times per week