One of Seacat Services’ new craft.
BUSINESS AN ISLAND-BASED wind farm support vessel operator, which is ploughing a multi-million pound investment into new craft, has signed a significant contract.
Seacat Services, based in Cowes, will operate its first two 19-metre support vessels, Seacat Endeavour and Seacat Reliance, on DONG Energy’s Anholt Wind Farm, off the Denmark coast.
The two vessels, together with four 24-metre craft, were ordered from Cowes company South Boats in a multi-million pound contract.
Seacat Services was established to be part of the boom in offshore wind energy and to be well-placed for potential contracts for the huge Navitus Bay wind park off the south west of the Island.
For the Danish contract, crews of eight aboard each vessel will, from July, work for cable manufacturer Nexans GmbH.
The crews, recruited from The Solent region, will be responsible for the safe and efficient transfer of two teams of jointers and their equipment for final testing of cables following installation.
Seacat Services managing director Ian Baylis said: "We are thrilled to take our first bold and decisive step into the European market.
"We have structured the company and selected vessels specifically for future, planned and consented projects."
Seacat Endeavour will be at Seawork 2012 in Southampton between May 22 and 24 before heading to Denmark.
Reporter: richardw@iwcpmail.co.uk