'ISLAND TIGER' A WILDCAT 53 / 16m 'WIND FARM SERVICE VESSEL'
Above, Photos of Island Tiger working on windfarms off UK East Coats July 2010
Below, Island Tiger running in lumpy seas, see a short video here- SEE THE VIDEO
Safehaven
Marine have launched 'ISLAND TIGER' the first of our new GRP Windfarm Catamarans,
the 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.
'ISLAND TIGER'
is 16m long
(17m inc dive platforms) 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 she 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 tour renowned pilot boats, to provide a
vessel that can withstand tough use in the harsh windfarm support vessel
environment.
'ISLAND
TIGER' is powered by twin Scania D12 650hp engines driving Ultra Dynamics
waterjets and on sea trials achieved a 25kts maximum speed which gives an
operational speed of 23kts at 80% of max power on a 25,000kg lightship
displacment. Larger engines such as the Scania or Volvo D16
engines can alternately 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.
Letter of recommendation received from her owners Island Shipping
Above and below, photos taken from her rough weather sea trials, you can see a video of the trials from this link- SEE THE VIDEO
Below, We had the opportunity to help with trails with the Irish coast guard, and took some nice pics, we also had a video made, - SEE THE VIDEO
The Wildcat 53 hull design is a larger version of our 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 our new Wind farm Wildcat 53 / 16M.
ISLAND SHIPPING'S TWO WILDCAT 16m WINDFARM VESSELS
Island
Shipping is an Irish company operating vessels and providing consultancy
services predominantly
in the Offshore Windfarm industry. The company has been involved
over the last six years, in the development of the Arklow Bank Offshore Windfarm
on
ISLAND TIGER has very clean and graceful lines incorporating Safehaven's trademark 'gull wing' sheer line. Being of GRP construction means her finish is superb, with a high gloss, low maintenance finish and she has turned out a superb looking vessel.
Accommodation
fit out is to a very high standard, the area
is very 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. 'ISLAND TIGER'
is the first vessel
of two ordered by Island Shipping and is due to be exhibited at Seawork
OCEAN 3 provided the bow fendering. This is a heavy duty system comprising a polyethylene high density foam core with a 50mm thick rubber skin the will prove durable in service.
Both vessels will be powered by Ultra Dynamic 451 jet units powered by
Scania 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, She will be equipped for dive operations with twin dive platforms
transom doors and is fitted with a 10kw generator providing 24v throughout the
vessel. To offer the most proficient level of
versatility to the offshore industry and is fitted out and equipped for survey
and hydrographic duties. She is built under dual certification for both
General
information
Light ship displacement
25,000kg
LOA 17m
Moulded
16m
Beam
6.1m
Draft-
Fully loaded - 1.0m
Fuel capacity
3600L
Water capacity
160 L
Engines
Scania D12 @ 650hp / 2200rpm
Maximum speed
25 kts
Operational speed
23kts @ 80% of max power
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.
Above and below, Island Shipping's wind farm catamarans 'ISLAND TIGER' lifted from the mould
Above, Her heavy duty construction can be clearly seen here, with transverse frame spacings at 500m providing very strong structure
The Wildcat 53 is available in several other configurations, Below, single level cabin standard version of the Wildcat 16m
Below, twin deck main f/wd cargo area version of the Wildcat 16m.