Dalby Offshore Services Ltd. is pleased to announce the launch and commissioning of its latest offshore wind farm crew transfer vessel, ‘Dalby Wharfe’. The vessel is the first of a two boat order that includes the ‘Dalby Swale’ to be delivered to Dalby Offshore Services Ltd. at the forthcoming Seawork exhibition at Southampton on Tuesday 10th June.
The Alicat Workboats built ‘Dalby Wharfe’ has an LOA of 21m, Beam of 7.4m, draught of 1.1m and a lightship displacement of 45 tonnes. The 21m WFSV is a latest generation design featuring a forward loading cargo deck and a soft mounted passenger saloon and bridge to increase passenger comfort (and reduce noise and vibration) on increasing long and more arduous passages to and from site, reducing passenger saloon noise levels to below 65dBA at full power.
Powered by twin MAN V12-1400 1400hp diesel engines coupled to Rolls Royce FF550 water jet units the vessel achieved a sprint speed of 30 knots and is capable of cruising at speeds in excess of 24 knots with full tanks and a full complement of 12 passengers. The vessel also represents the first jet propelled vessel in Dalby’s fleet.
The vessel features numerous systems including fuel transfer capability to supply offshore generators, a pressure washer to wash down boat landings and ladders, integrated through raft anchor recovery system and a hydraulic deck crane. Internally the vessel features 12 sprung seats, galley, mess seating area and access below for storage and through hull access.
The upper bridge is accessed via a stairway from the saloon and features a fully integrated ship control and monitoring and navigation and communications system across the front of the bridge.
The ‘Dalby Swale’ will be identical in specification but is the first of the new Alicat 23m designs with extended waterlines for greater passenger comfort and fuel efficiency. The vessel will be christened, accepted and available for inspection at Seawork 2014 and will further strengthen Dalby Offshore Services expanding fleet.
Steve Bartram, Operations Manager, Dalby Offshore Services Ltd.:
“We are delighted to accept the ‘Dalby Wharfe’ from Alicat Workboats. We maintain an excellent working relationship with the yard and their personnel, which we believe contributes to the excellent quality and attention to detail we receive. All of our Alicat built vessels are working, which is testament to the way they perform in the market.”
Steve Thacker, General Manager, Alicat Workboats Ltd.:
“Alicat Workboats has been committed to the growing demands of the offshore wind farm CTV market and Dalby has played a significant part in the development of our business with this delivery of their 5th Alicat. We are continuing to work with Dalby ahead of the delivery of their 6th vessel in June and are looking to get further vessels on order in due course.”
Dalby Offshore Services Ltd are working with Alicat Workboat Ltd and sister company South Boats IOW Ltd on further projects to be announced later in the year.
Dalby Offshore Services Ltd, based at Beverley in East Yorkshire has made a considerable commitment and investment in the offshore wind farm crew transfer vessel over the last 18 months with the delivery of four Alicat vessels, all over 20m, ‘Dalby Humber’, ‘Dalby Trent’, ‘Dalby Tees’ and the fully DNV classed 22m vessel ‘Dalby Aire’, all of which are currently utilised on projects around the UK. ‘Dalby Wharfe’ is expected to join the ‘Dalby Aire’ on the Greater Gabbard offshore wind farm project later this month. Dalby Offshore owns and operates a diverse fleet of vessels including multicat type craft and a large accommodation/cable laying unit, ‘ASV Pioneer’, which has recently completed a very successful contract supporting the ‘Costa Concordia’ salvage operation in Italy. The company has also recently opened a new office in the Orbis Renewables Centre in Lowestoft, which will give the company a greater presence in the South Eastern hub of coastal activity in addition to a further office due to be opened this month in Scarborough.
Alicat Workboats Ltd, along with South Boats IOW Ltd is the largest producer of offshore wind farm crew transfer vessels. Based in Great Yarmouth and Cowes, Isle of Wight respectively the companies are geographically positioned well to support the growing demand for new build vessels and the service and support of existing vessels. The Dalby Wharfe is the 23rd Alicat Workboats built CTV for the offshore renewables market. In addition the company has separate Marine Design, Marine Electrical Design & Installation, Ship Hydraulics Design & Installation, Marine Fabrication and Precision Engineering Divisions that are satisfying many contracts with shipyards and ship operators around the world.