WILDCAT 53 16m 'WIND FARM SERVICE VESSEL'

Safehaven Mareine are expanding their Wildcat catamaran range with a new 53ft / 16m moulded 17m overall version aimed specifically at the wind farm and offshore crew boat. market. Currently we build the Wildcat at lengths of 36 & 40ft, the 50 version will use an all new mould especially developed, but based on their well respected and proven 36/40  hull design. Using our expertise gained from building pilot boats, which have to withstand hard impacts  when coming alongside boarding ships in rough weather, much the same way the wind farm service support vessel has to endure heavy impacts, when holding station alongside an offshore wind generators boarding structure. This expertise in the pilot field has allowed us to design a fendering solution at the bow that will withstand hard use, and provide a stable platform for transferring personnel to the wind generator. The Wind farm Wildcat features an island wheelhouse configuration that allows easy passage up either side of the vessel and provides a spacious boarding area in the bow with a raised platform incorporating boarding railings leading to the jump off section, crew and passenger safety has been paramount in refining the design and again our experience in pilot boarding has been beneficial. The main cabin features seating for 12 passengers in aircraft style seating running lengthways, a central helm position, with the same wrap around design  that has proved popular with coxswains on their pilot vessels, provides a comfortable, focused driving environment, essential when holding station. Sleeping accommodation is provided in each hull, steps lead down from the main cabin with room for 4 berths per hull, the area also provide plenty of additional storage area for equipment / spares. The galley is incorporated into the f/wd port cabin with the heads situated into the st/bd f/wd cabin. Safehaven's designs are however fully customizable to the customers specific operational requirements and alternative cabin configurations are possible.

     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. Side access doors provide easy boarding when alongside and double up as rescue zones in an emergency. A dive platform can be fitted across the transom above the bridge deck with steps down to waterline access from each hull. An aluminum hydraulic dive lift designed refined over the numerous Wildcat 36/40 dive vessels built, gives safe access to and from the water for divers. She can be fitted with a flybridge providing a raised helm position allowing panoramic vision all around the vessel, this helming position can also be covered in providing a sheltered position.

The vessel will be 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.