WILDCAT 53 16m 'WIND FARM SERVICE VESSEL'

Safehaven Marine are nearing completion of the first of their new GRP Windfarm Catamarans, their Wildcat 53 / 16m. This is a completely new design based on our highly respected Wildcat 36/40 design, incorporating the same high buoyancy bow, twin chine catamaran hull form that has proved so successful in providing exceptional levels of sea keeping and performance from Safehaven’s Wildcats over the past 5 years. The new Catamaran design is 16m long with a 6m / 20ft  beam and will provide a very stable platform that will suit a multitude of roles from passenger, crew transfer and commercial workboat, but which is specifically designed as a wind farm support vessel. To this end the bow area has been designed to accommodate a specially developed fender system from Ocean 3. The fender design is of high density foam core 300m x 400mm with a heavy 50mm thick rubber  wall to cushion impacts and stresses when the bow is held against windfarm platforms in heavy weather. No stranger to building exceptionally strong GRP hulls, the Wildcat 50 will have the same heavy duty scantlings as their renowned pilot boats, to provide a vessel that can withstand tough use in the harsh windfarm support vessel environment.

The vessel is powered by twin Scania D12 650hp engines driving Ultra Dynamics waterjets to provide a 25kts +. Larger engines such as the Scania or Volvo D16 engines can be fitted for higher speeds.

The superstructure is a raised bridge deck design with the helm and navigators position elevated to provide excellent visibility. The cabin is centrally positioned in an ‘island configuration’ with a clear 750mm walkway each side with  and around the bow where there is a cargo lifting space. This provides a safe passageway and spacious work and boarding area at the bow.

Aft twin dive platforms at the transom of each hull give waterline access through transom gates, and the well decked aft cockpit features a HIAB crane and a large clear cargo area.

Accommodation is spacious and designed to provide a comfortable and luxurious environment  with a combination of aircraft style transit seating and dinette and table designs for standby.  The cabin design is open plan with a full galley in the port hull and bunk berths in the st/bd hull. A useful feature is the incorporation of a wet room, featuring aft cockpit access, hanging space, toilet and shower facilities with access from their direct to the main accommodation, this allows personnel the ability to disrobe from work gear and enter the living area clean and dry. The first vessel of two ordered by Island Shipping is due to be exhibited at Seawork 2010 in Southampton alongside ‘Pathfinder’ the second of their pilot / patrol boats delivered to the Port of Southampton .

     NEWSFLASH

ISLAND SHIPPING PLACE ORDER FOR TWO 

       WILDCAT 16m  WINDFARM VESSELS

Island Shipping operates tugs and workboats in Ireland , the UK and further afield.  The company provides vessels 

and services in the Marine Civils, Towage & Salvage, Offshore Renewable Energy, and Marine Research sectors.  

For the past 5 years Island Shipping has provided vital support, maintenance and consultancy services to the Arklow 

Bank Windfarm on behalf of clients, General Electric and Airtricity.  Tim Greenwood, Director, Island Shipping 

commenting on the contract said, “This contract with Safehaven Marine represents a significant milestone in

Island Shipping’s development strategy.  The investment confirms the company’s commitment to the offshore 

renewable industry in Ireland and is a first in Ireland in that here we have an Irish workboat builder and  Irish 

workboat operator collaborating closely together.  We chose Safehaven Marine because they have a reputation for 

building some of the very best Pilot Boats in the world and we are confident that the new Wildcat 50 Windfarm Support 

Vessel will also become a best in class.  For enquiries contact Tim Greenwood – 

email: info@islandshipping.ie | web:www.islandshipping.ie | tel: 0404 61623.

These vessels will be powered by Ultra Dynamic 451 jet units powered by Volvo D12 engines. Water jets were 

chosen for their ability to provide high thrust with lower mechanical stresses against the windfarm structure, 

combined with good maneuverability, speed and safety. The vessel will be fully equipped for windfarm operations, 

equipped with a HIAB crane with a 6m reach, hydraulic winch and capstan capabilities for recovery of  waterborne 

equipment. She will be equipped for dive operations with twin dive platforms transom doors and dive ladders, To 

offer the most proficient level of versatility to the offshore industry and is fitted out and equipped for survey and 

hydrographic duties. Built under dual certification for both UK and Ireland , the first vessel is due to be 

launched in June 2010 with the second at the end of the year.  

The Wildcat's aft deck is flush providing a clear loading area, it is serviced by a 2,000kg lifting capacity HIAB crane on the aft quarter, the well deck is cleared with numerous scuppers and the engine removal hatch arrangement is of a design refined over the years on their workboats, providing full engine access and removal capabilities but fully watertight. Transom access doors provide easy boarding when alongside and double up as rescue zones in an emergency. A dive platform is fitted on the transom with waterline access from each hull. An aluminum hydraulic dive lift designed refined over the numerous Wildcat 36/40 dive vessels built can be optionally fitted, this gives safe access to and from the water for divers. 

The Wildcat 53  can powered by either Scania D12 or D16 engine options, although other manufacturers are available. Available with either conventional stern drive arrangements with the propeller running in a tunnel allowing for a large diameter propeller to be swung though a 2:1 gearbox ratio. Alternatively  jet drive units can be fitted if required by the operator. The hull design will allow for operational speeds around the 25kts mark (12 litre engines)  and 30kts sprint speeds.

The Wildcat hull design is a larger version of their very successful and thoroughly proven 36 / 40 design, featuring the same high buoyancy bow,  symmetrical twin chine hull design that provides excellent sea keeping and performance, providing a soft ride into steep head seas with enough buoyancy in the f/wd sections to always lift the bow over waves, preventing slamming on the bridge deck. The hulls twin chine arrangement creates a spray air medium that allows the hull to almost ride on a cushion of air which gives the cat such a soft ride,  and also makes for an exceptionally dry vessel. Down wind again the hulls  provide adequate buoyancy to keep the bows up and the Wildcat hull is almost non broaching, allowing big quartering seas to be run down with little steering effort in total safety.  Safehaven's hulls have gained an enviable reputation for strength  and sea keeping over the years, their all weather pilot boats highly respected and it is this same design ethos that is bought into their new Wind farm Wildcat 53 / 16M.

Below, raised bridge deck version of the Wildcat 16m

Below, the completed hull and superstructure for the first of Island Shipping's wind farm catamarans 'ISLAND TIGER' 

Her Ultra Dynamics jets are fitted now, as are her Scania D12 engines, her main deck is fitted and her cabin is under construction and due to be fitted mid febuary.

Below- Forming the mould for our special bow boarding area that we have designed for when pushing up against the Windfarm structure. We are utilizing a special custom made rubber fender design, and, by  taking advantage of the construction benefits of GRP, we have designed the bow in a unique corrugated form, maximizing surface area for fender attachment and eliminating fender attachment failure from side thrust.

Above, the hull is nearing completion, below the new raised bridge deck superstructure mould under construction.

Below, single level cabin standard version of the Wildcat 16m

Below, twin deck main f/wd cargo area version of the Wildcat 16m.