Wight Shipyard breaks into the windfarm market

Wight Shipyard Co Ltd (WSC) is breaking into the Windfarm Support Vessel (WFSV) market with the launch of its new Vortisea brand at Seawork International 2019.

The Vortisea brand, designed in collaboration with Australia’s Incat Crowther, is specifically geared towards European and UK windfarms, particularly those further offshore, with the operator’s expectancy for flexibility, speed and operational efficiency.

“It’s fitting that being so well established in the fast ferry sector we have chosen to enter the WFSV market. There is still a niche to be filled. We will be targeting all operators, but particularly those looking for a very high-quality vessel build in Europe,” said Peter Morton, CEO, WSC.

Collaboration

WSC is no stranger to working with Incat Crowther.

Back in February, a collaboration between the two companies delivered a multi-million-pound export order for a 250-passenger river ferry to Twin City Liner (TCL) in Vienna, Austria, and earlier this month saw the launch of two 37m fast ferries due for export to Ultramar in Cancún, Mexico.

WSC has a long-established pedigree in the ferry building sector with customers including MBNA Thames Clippers and Red Funnel. But this is the first time the yard has ventured into the renewables sector.

“Incat Crowther is the best partner for this brand of vessel and we’re no stranger to working with them,” added Mr Morton.

“We’ve always been impressed with the designer’s ability to turn its hand to any type of vessel and it has a professionalism to be rivalled.”

Spec

Ed Dudson, Managing Director, Incat Crowther, said that the WFSV Vortisea vessel has been designed to meet the latest standards in UK, German and Danish-Flag state requirements.

“Probably the most important design feature of the vessel is its market-leading wave height capability for transfer and transit, for this reason it was important to take a step forward in traditional WFSV design,” he said.

The catamaran hull design is exceptionally efficient, constructed from lightweight marine grade aluminium, so it’s an environmentally friendly build resulting in a vessel with low fuel consumption.

It is initially available two sizes a 27m and 32m with beams of 9m and 10m respectively.

The vessel has multiple machinery options (CPP / FPP / Waterjet / IPS), including hybrid.

Operating speeds in excess of 30 knots are achievable depending on the machinery package selected. Installation of a quad engine and propulsion package has the advantage of offering excellent redundancy.

Seawork

More information about the new Vortisea WFSV will be available during Seawork International being held from 11 to 13 June at Mayflower Park in Southampton, UK. (www.seawork.com)

Visit WSC on stand PG146 and Incat Crowther on stand PG45.

Meanwhile also at the show, WSC will be showcasing its new hybrid patrol and pilot vessel on the quayside at berth VB02.