North Star has awarded a £2m contract to Great Yarmouth firm Alicat Workboats for the construction of two new Chartwell designed daughter craft, which will be used on the Dogger Bank offshore wind farm off the north-east coast of England from next year.
The order adds to a previous deal with North Star for two other daughter craft secured in September last year.
The four vessels being built by Alicat to Chartwell Daughter Craft design specifications will support operations with the safe transfer of maintenance technicians and equipment between the service operation vessels (SOVs) and wind turbines at Dogger Bank A, B and C.
North Star’s first fleet purpose built for offshore wind O&M support is being delivered to the Dogger Bank partners Equinor, SSE Renewables and Eni Plenitude from February next year.
The full tonnage package includes four of North Star’s hybrid-powered (SOVs).
Alicat director Simon Coote said: “As we continue to work towards completing the first two daughter craft for North Star’s first offshore wind fleet, we are very pleased that our craftmanship, continued collaboration and expertise has been recognised and we have been awarded this multi-million-pound contract for two additional daughter craft.
“This commitment from North Star helps to sustain our business for a further two years, creating new employment opportunities and securing our workforce for the long term.
“We currently have a very loyal and dedicated team, and we anticipate increasing our headcount with a further five new hires in the coming months, including up to three new apprentices.”
North Star renewables director Andrew Duncan said: “As the UK’s largest offshore infrastructure support vessel operator, we have a proven track record of successfully delivering multiple new-build projects simultaneously and therefore we have incredibly high standards for those we engage with to help achieve and maintain this.
“We have been working very closely with Alicat since the first Chartwell design daughter craft award 10 months ago, and they have really impressed us with their knowledge, workmanship, and ‘can-do’ attitude which has resulted in some significant enhancements and efficiencies.
“We have worked together for example on the interface of the daughter craft to the SOV power grid preboarding to charge the hybrid packs, power HVAC systems and spin the daughter craft’s gyroscope stabiliser technology prior to technicians boarding for efficiency and daily operational readiness.
“Collaborating this way allows us to always be pushing the envelope for our clients and delivering best in-class ships and solutions to support wind farm operators across Europe.”
Dogger Bank project director Steve Wilson said: “It’s great to see North Star strengthening our future operational fleet with additional daughter craft from Alicat, while supporting new job opportunities with the Great Yarmouth-based marine specialist.
“Our vessels will be critical to the safe and efficient operation of the world’s largest offshore wind farm when they enter service from next year onwards.”