JUNE/JULY 2013 | £5.25 - Wind Energy Network

WorkboatsWorkboatsInnovativemarinecommunicationsfor North SeasafetyWhen Mantsbrite became the sole UKdistributor of the David Clark MarineWireless Headset CommunicationsSystems in 2012, one of the first userswas Tidal Transit, a fast growingNorth Norfolk company providing anew generation of personnel transfervessels for use by offshore wind farmdevelopers.Some years earlier. Tidal Transithad realised that offshore wind farmdevelopment off the east coast of Englandwas going to create a huge demandfor personnel transfer vessels [PTVs] totransport mechanics and electriciansNavigational aidsThey selected Mantsbrite, to firstly fit out‘Ginny Louise’, and very shortly after ‘EdenRose’, with the best navigational aidsavailable to enable the vessels to functionsafely and efficiently in the unfriendlywaters of the North Sea.The company is a renowned UK distributorof electronic navigation and communicationequipment, supplying high quality productsfrom a wide range of world class suppliers.within a range of 100m. Being handsfree,they greatly enhance mobility asthere is no need for crew members to betethered to the vessel.”Man overboard rescue exerciseTidal Transit’s Leo Hambro comments:“These Communications Systems havebeen invaluable. When we carried outa ‘man overboard rescue’ exerciserecently, the crew member on deck wasable to move freely, giving very clearinstructions to the crew on the bridge,thus avoiding accidental harm to the‘man’ in the water. Fortunately, wehaven’t experienced such an incident,but with the David Clark wirelesssystem, we are confident that our crewto-crewcommunications can makea huge difference in both normal andextraordinary circumstances.”‘Ginny Louise’ and ‘Eden Rose’ have beenin continuous use on the Greater Gabbardand Sheringham Shoal Offshore WindFarms since their arrival in the UK.Myton Lawadviseson £1.6mworkboatacquisitionMyton Law has advised work boatoperator East Coast Charters Ltd on a£1.6 million vessel acquisition.ECC ChallengerThe Hull-based specialist shipping,transport and logistics law firm wasinstructed by East Coast Charters toact in the purchase and financing of thenewly-built ECC Challenger, which addsto the company’s fleet of multipurposeworkboats providing marine survey,crew and stores transport and windfarmsupport.“We were delighted to support ECCin formulating a strong business caseto lenders, which proved successful insecuring the investment funds towardsthe purchase, which ECC wanted.”Wide experienceMyton Law, located at The Deep BusinessCentre on the banks of the Humber, isable to advise on ship’s finance, ship build,sale and purchase, as well as on wetshipping, dry shipping, technical shipping,engineering, insurance, international tradeand renewable energy matters.The ECC Challenger was built byLowestoft-based East Coast Charters’sister company East Coast Workcats.Myton Lawwww.mytonlaw.co.uk“Though the values involved withworkboats are not as great as formainstream shipping, following thedownturn, lenders remain perhaps overcautious and their conditions are no lessstringent.” explains Myton Law’s JohnHabergham.from shore to the offshore wind farmsites. Accordingly, in 2011, its directorsLeo Hambro and Adam Wright madea considerable investment in what thenwas primarily a fishing trip business,commissioning their first two state-of-theart,purpose designed and built vesselsfrom a Spanish vessel manufacturer.Clear and interference-freecommunicationManaging Director David Ash said: “Oneof the key factors in operating safelyat sea is clear and interference-freecommunication, so I was delighted whenDavid Clark launched its new MarineWireless Headset CommunicationsSystem. Having thoroughly tested theseheadsets, I knew they would be ideal forcrews operating vessels in the demandingenvironment of the North Sea.“They are rugged, manufactured frommarine grade components, and enableusers to enjoy clear, crisp reception“Mantsbrite will be fitting out our thirdvessel, the ‘Tia Elizabeth’, which isexpected to reach these shores in May2013,” says Leo Hambro, “and DavidClark wireless headsets are part of theequipment specification.”Established in 1964, Mantsbrite now hasan established 175 strong dealer networkthroughout the UK and Ireland.Mantsbritewww.mantsbrite.comProviding marine electronics andcharts to wind farm workboatsEstablished for over 30 years andworking from 4 offices based aroundthe coast, Charity and Taylor offera wide range of services to vesselsworking on the wind farms.Service and SupportWith a 365 days a year call out, the teamof qualified engineers are ready to resolveequipment failure and breakdown for awide range of marine equipment. Serviceis available to support Furuno, Icom,Simrad, Sailor, Raymarine and many othermanufacturers equipment.Specialising in support targeted at thewind farm sector Charity and Taylor canreduce the frustration and cut the cost ofvessel downtime.Full InstallationWorking with vessel manufacturerssuch as Alnmaritec, Southboats, AlicatWorkboats & Charity and Taylor havebeen instrumental in the design andinstallation of packages, to suit a rangeof wind farm applications. Navigationaland communication needs are coveredand packages fitted to suit budgetaryrequirements.Charts and PublicationsAs an Admiralty International chart agentCharity and Taylor provide a complete‘one stop shop’ enhancing electronicservicing with a complete worldwideoffering of admiralty paper charts anddigital products.Charity and Taylorwww.ecdis-and-radar.com74 www.windenergynetwork.co.ukwww.windenergynetwork.co.uk 75