New Rescue Vessel Marks Milestone for Craig Group

North Star Shipping has reinforced its fleet of next generation vessels after taking delivery of its new ERRV, the Grampian Devotion, in Aberdeen.
 
The latest vessel represents the eighth and final D-class IMT-950 Emergency Response and Rescue vessels (ERRVs) that the company has had specially built as part of a major $169 million investment program.
 
Callum Bruce, managing director of North Star Shipping which is operated by Craig Group, said, “The delivery of the Grampian Devotion marks a key milestone in our investment program because it both completes our D-class range of new builds and further enhances our fleet of vessels which are at the forefront of safety, technology and capability.
 
North Star Shipping has added seven other D-class IMT-950 ERRVs to its fleet since 2011 with the company’s investment plan due to be complete over the next year with the launch of two F-class IMT-958 multi-role ERRVs, the Grampian Fortress and Grampian Freedom.
 
The D-class vessels, which are 50 meters in length, are outfitted as a minimum with one daughter craft, one fast rescue craft and state-of-the-art rescue facilities. The F-Class vessels, which are slightly larger at 58 meters long, feature diesel electric propulsion via twin Azimuth Stern Drives. They will also be equipped with daughter craft and fast rescue craft as well as being able to transfer and store limited deck cargo and provide offshore locations with fresh water and fuel if required.
 
Since 2003, Craig Group has invested a total of $538 million in 26 new vessels for North Star Shipping including the Grampian Devotion. The company’s fleet, which now stands at 38 vessels, includes a mix of platform supply, tanker assist, ROV support and ERRVs. The company supports more than 50 installations in the UKCS and has also rescued 73 people in the North Sea.