Diverse Marine and Hefring Marine form Strategic Alliance

2 April 2024

Diverse Marine is excited to announce a strategic partnership with Hefring Marine

Diverse Marine is excited to announce a strategic partnership with Hefring Marine, which will see the integration of an artificial intelligence marine solution as a standard feature in all new vessels built at its yard. This technology provides real-time decision support to the vessel master, enhancing operational efficiency, reducing fuel consumption and CO2 emissions, and improving passenger safety.


The system leverages both collected and real-time data on vessel movements, weather conditions, engine and propulsion performance, and the responses of both operator and vessel. It continuously predicts outcomes for the voyage and suggests optimal actions, including recommended vessel speeds, directly to the master. The guidance, which adjusts based on selected modes (eco or comfort), aims to maintain safe speeds with minimal passenger discomfort or achieve the most fuel and emission-efficient speeds.


Sensors integrated into Diverse Marine's platforms monitor impacts and vibrations from the vessel's movement through the water, providing real-time alerts to the master and shore-based teams if impact thresholds are exceeded. The system also displays up-to-the-minute weather and sea state information onboard. Future enhancements will include route guidance features, enabling the software to chart the most comfortable and fuel-efficient course based on real-time sea conditions.


For shore-based technical teams, the system offers comprehensive monitoring capabilities. They can track individual vessels and entire fleets in real time, displaying live locations and voyages on an interactive map. An overlay graph presents a range of data, including motion and turbine impact metrics, speed recommendations for safety, fuel consumption rates, weather and sea conditions, engine performance, and more, with second-by-second detail.


The strategic alliance grants exclusivity for new offshore wind crew transfer vessels constructed in the United Kingdom. Diverse Marine is dedicated to collaborating closely with Hefring Marine to advance the IMAS technology and its outputs, ensuring they are precisely tailored to the unique demands of this industry sector.


Ben Colman, Director of Diverse Marine, stated: "Our partnership with Hefring Marine originated through our connections with SAFE Boats in the USA. After discussions in both the UK and the USA, we shaped the system to meet Diverse Marine's specific needs for the offshore wind crew transfer vessel sector. The software adapted to this new configuration effortlessly. Additionally, we managed to incorporate turbine approach impacts. With data now accessible on the shoreside dashboard, our technical and operational teams receive invaluable insights."


Karl Birgir Björnsson, CEO and co-founder of Hefring Marine, is thrilled to announce its new partnership with Diverse Marine, a leader in the marine industry known for its expertise in offshore wind crew transfer vessels. He comments: “This collaboration is a testament to our shared commitment to revolutionising maritime operations through cutting-edge technology and innovation. Together with Diverse Marine, we aim to enhance the safety, efficiency, and performance of professional boat operations, setting a new benchmark for excellence in the sector. We are excited to combine our data-driven solutions with Diverse Marine's specialised vessel capabilities to create a more sustainable and advanced future on the water.”


Ends


About Hefring Marine:
HEFRING MARINE is an Icelandic technology company offering sophisticated maritime solutions for professional vessel operators and fleet managers. Their main product, IMAS, is an AI-driven on-board system collecting vessel data for real-time decision support, enhancing safety and fuel efficiency. With a presence across various workboat sectors, from pilotage, fisheries and crew transfer, to rescue, defense and law enforcement, Hefring Marine has helped their customers improve crew safety and welfare, enhance their fuel efficiency and reduce their carbon footprint.



3 October 2026
Diverse Marine is celebrating a significant milestone in its story, marking 50 vessels with a rather different viewpoint. From crew transfer vessels and lifeboats to daughter craft, specialist workboats and high-speed passenger vessels, the first 50 vessels represent the breadth of work undertaken by Diverse Marine and the expertise of the team behind them. Built in Cowes on the Isle of Wight, Diverse Marine vessels are now working across offshore energy, search and rescue, commercial marine and passenger operations around the world. Built by a team Every vessel begins with a different requirement. Some are designed to transfer technicians safely and efficiently to offshore wind farms. Others support search and rescue operations, carry passengers or undertake specialist work in demanding environments. Behind each one is the same combination of naval architecture, engineering, fabrication and craftsmanship, together with close collaboration between Diverse Marine, its clients, designers, suppliers and partners. Reaching 50 vessels is therefore about rather more than a number. It is a reflection of the people who have designed, built and delivered them. Celebrating a little differently To mark the milestone, Diverse Marine decided that the usual photograph at the shipyard gates was not quite enough. So, with FARRA ERIU providing the backdrop to the celebration, the team took to the water – and the skies – above the Isle of Wight.
11 June 2025
Southampton, 17th June 2025 — NR Marine Services is excited to announce that it has commissioned Chartwell Marine, a trusted pioneer of next-generation vessel design, to design a new CTV in response to client requests for a new class of vessel that is capable of supporting older generation assets, now referred to as legacy turbines, but utilising modern construction and outfit technology to maximise vessel fuel efficiency and technician comfort. It has been a generation since UK based Naval Architects and Shipyards designed a sub 22m, sub 60 tonne, sub 3m bow height crew transfer vessel. Chartwell Marine has developed the ‘Defiant Class”, a 20m CTV designed to Workboat Code Edition 3 with IMO Tier 3 compliance featuring a step free flush forward deck, resiliently mounted superstructure and modern furnishings and materials used in larger CTVs. This is a bold, DEFIANT step to do different, to create a new class of smaller CTV required for legacy turbines whilst not losing the core identity of modern UK designed, UK built and UK operated CTVs. DEFIANT in compliance, this new class of CTV will comply with Workboat Code Edition 3, IMO Tier 3 and the spirit and core fundamentals of HS_OSC – albeit in a more cost-effective approach. DEFIANT in pricing, it is essential the new class is cost effective in the modern market. UK quality but smartly sized to benefit from UK supply chain core strengths and therefore pricing. DEFIANT in reliability, working with supply chain to integrate a new, smaller Quad IPS IMO Tier 3 or Hamilton Waterjet propulsion solution with high power to weight ratio whilst maintaining simple, quality and reliable engineering. DEFIANT in change, accepting most legacy turbines have unique site requirements, the vessel retains flexibility to be tailored to different projects from a water jet propulsion system for shallow water sites and hybrid options where budgets allow to internal modularity to suit different racking and seating solutions. Andy Page of Chartwell Marine Ltd. said: “It is always enjoyable bringing a new class of vessel to the market. What’s interesting in this case, is the vessel is based-on “legacy vessel” parameters but with modern up-to-date experienced thinking. With the Defiant Class, we are able to utilise our proven high efficiency, high seakeeping performance hull form, in a smaller, more dynamic cost-effective platform, appropriate for the legacy turbine projects the vessels are intended to support”. Richard Thurlow of NR Marine Services Ltd. adds: “NR Marine Services is excited to be the first to bring the brand-new Chartwell DEFIANT Class CTV to the market. With strong industry focus being on the HSOSC market space, the CTV development has been taken away from the smaller vessel market. Working closely with Chartwell Marine and Diverse Marine we have looked at incorporating as many of the recent CTV developments a possible into a smaller package. Step free access from deck level to bow step over point, tiered seating, Male and Female heads, comprehensive galley suite and optimised hull design for near shore projects. Following an internal fleet review long with external market research, the data shows that there is a potential to replace older tonnage which is between 10-15 years old for near shore projects which have a lifespan that warrants investment in new CTV’s”. Ben Colman of Diverse Marine Ltd. adds: “Many years ago, the UK proved that building large numbers of smaller CTV’s was possible but these times have been forgotten as the CTV industry as evolved into larger. HS-OSC compliant craft. It is both exciting and challenging to be involved a project to build a new smaller CTV that meets the growing demand for legacy turbine access with modern technological compliance, modern materials, high fuel efficiency, hybrid options. Put simply the Defiant hosts, a modern, clean and spacious environment but on a smaller highly efficient platform that suits the smaller harbours, short transit sites and shallow water projects." ENDS Chartwell Marine is a trusted pioneer of next-generation vessel design. A reputed naval architect with an industry-leading track record designing award-winning high-speed vessels, Chartwell Marine supports ambitious boat builders and vessel operators around the world with specialist, independent design and consultancy services. To find out more, please visit: http://www.chartwellmarine.com/ About NR Marine Services: At NR Marine Services Ltd. we own and operate a fleet of seven vessels. Our services are available in the UK and throughout Europe. We pride ourselves on our offshore wind industry experience of more than 20 years’, including management of crew transfer vessels, turbine management in construction, commissioning and operational phases. Founded in 2019 and headquartered in Great Yarmouth our vessels are available for a wide range of duties. To find out more, please visit: https://www.nrmarine.co.uk
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