JFMS purchases first Supacat Multi-purpose Vessel (SMV 24)

James Fisher Marine Services (JFMS) has purchased the first of type Supacat Multi-purpose Vessel 24 (SMV 24). The investment in the SMV 24 vessel marks JFMS's continued commitment to provide innovative solutions to clients that require high assurance when operating in the marine environments, the Company said in a press release.

The SMV 24 vessel establishes a new benchmark in offshore support craft. With an overall length of 25.7 metres, it is powered by two MAN V12 diesel engines providing a maximum speed of 30 knots and fully loaded range of 675 nautical miles. The vessel is capable of carrying three standard ISO 20ft containers with 30T load, providing extensive and versatile deck space for equipment such as ROVs, specialist diving equipment, accommodation modules, ship to turbine (STT) oil change service and offshore facility maintenance equipment (generators, HPUs, bunkering, workshops, tool stores, service spares).

With the addition of optional high quality SOLAS A60 accommodation modules for 12 passengers and permanent accommodation for crew, the DNV1A1 Wind Farm Service Code R1 classed SMV 24 offers an ideal and highly cost-effective solution for servicing sites that are 150 nautical miles offshore for continuous trips of up to one week's duration. The flexibility and versatility of this new SMV 24 vessel renders it capable of reducing both the number of dedicated use vessels and number of visits to site required simultaneously delivering significant cost reduction and increased operational flexibility.

Supacat Ltd is an innovative engineering and design, established in 1981. It has a complete design and engineering capability; including testing, prototype manufacture, certification, low rate production and fleet support.  Supacat specialises in developing solutions to unusual customer requirements.  In the late 1990's it designed the High Mobility Transporter (HMT) to meet a military requirement for an agile, all-terrain vehicle, which more recently has been used extensively by UK Forces in Afghanistan. In the 2000s it designed a Lifeboat Launch & Recovery System for the RNLI, which can negotiate Britain's most demanding beaches. Supacat has grown and diversified into new sectors, such as Renewable Energy, and Oil & Gas and Marine. It worked with Fred Olsen to prepare the detailed design and manufacture of a first-off Wave Energy Device now undergoing sea testing at FabTest in Falmouth.   It employs approximately 120 people at its facility at Dunkeswell, East Devon.