Commercial Rib Charter commission the build of the world’s first amphibious Crew Transfer Vessel

Cowes, UK (04-02-22) – Commercial Rib Charter commission the build of the world’s first amphibious Crew Transfer Vessel for a six-year contract at RWE’s Scroby Sands wind farm off Great Yarmouth. In another first, ‘CRC Walrus’ is to be powered by Cox’s new 300HP diesel outboard engines.

RWE have been wrestling for several years with the difficulties of ever-changing sand banks restricting access to their Scroby Sands Wind farm. Aston Goddard of RWE challenged their specialist shallow draft CTV provider ‘Commercial Rib Charter’ to find an innovative solution. 

A textbook collaboration between RWE, RWE’s contract holder Commercial Rib Charter, naval architects Chartwell Marine and Isle of Wight based boat builders Diverse Marine has led to the design of the world’s first purpose built amphibious crew transfer vessel. The new boat is to be named ‘CRC Walrus’ in honour of R.J. Mitchells’ classic 1930’s Supermarine amphibious biplane.

‘CRC Walrus’ is a twelve-metre type approved crew transfer vessel with seating for two crew and eight passengers. There is a 750KG deck cargo capacity and the usual bow transfer system. Service speed is 23kts with a sprint speed of 29kts.

Powered by two Cox 300Hp diesel engines the vessel will draw only 80cm. The 600HP of motive power generated by the outboards will reduce fuel consumption by 50% over conventional inboard engines, thus further supporting RWE’s carbon neutral target.

‘CRC Walrus’ will transition from sea going to amphibious by lowering three hydraulically operated oversized wheels steered by a single nose wheel allowing her to ‘dock’ with the turbine ladder. The hydraulic system is powered by a generator.

Stuart Hedges of Commercial Rib Charter says ‘’The collaborative approach we have taken has helped mitigate the risk on such a technically innovative project. Working with highly competent marine architects and a boat builder steeped in experience has not only produced an excellent design but has done so to both budget and timetable. We signed the build contract with Diverse Marine in December, and we plan to be operational at Scroby in September this year.’’

Aston Goddard of RWE, who was himself a former CTV skipper on the windfarm is full of praise for the project. ‘’For many years we have trialled and tested various operational approaches to allow us to maintain continuous access to our turbines despite a rising seabed. Through the incredible support of both the internal RWE team and Commercial Rib Charter a bold and innovative vessel design has entered build which will deliver a step change in operational efficiency.’’ 

Ben Colman - Managing Director of Diverse Marine commented: “On behalf of the team at Diverse Marine and our UK supply chain I am delighted to have signed this contract with Stuart Hedges and Commercial RIB Charter. We have enjoyed a good relationship with Stuart and his operations team for over 5 years, supporting his existing CTV fleet and now adding CRC as a new construction partner. It is also great to be building this vessel for the Scroby Sands Offshore Wind Farm as we worked with the team there to build their last bespoke CTV ‘Eastern Aura’, now owned by CRC and named ‘CRC Vulcan’. Diverse Marine has a passion for the development of new technology that can be implemented in different market sectors and has a solid, proven track record of successfully delivering these projects in conjunction with many clients and supply chains. This 13m amphibious CTV is in good company and one we are super keen and grateful to be involved with. The team will take a very active role in configuring the vessel for its role at Scroby Sands.

Andy Page of Chartwell Marine commented: ”For Chartwell Marine this project represents another great opportunity to provide an innovative solution to a difficult challenge. We have been designing boats for offshore wind for over ten years now and as such have fond memories of running out the pier heads in Great Yarmouth to Scroby Sands. I think almost all the vessels that we have been involved in on the east coast have been tested there. RWE have always been very receptive to new ideas and have let us trial a number of concepts over the years including but not limited to novel bow fendering/ transfer solutions. This boat is a clear example of that, and represents a coming together of ingenuity and engineering capability between site manager, vessel operator, designer and builder. We are hugely grateful to Stuart and CRC for bringing us into the consortium and are looking forward to the build of the boat with the rest of the team.”