Diverse Marine & Caister Volunteer Lifeboat Service to Build New Lifeboat

21 December 2021

Cowes, UK (21-12-21) – Diverse Marine Ltd. and Caister Volunteer Lifeboat Service Ltd. are pleased to announce that the two parties have signed a new vessel construction agreement for a first of class 14m Medina Class Lifeboat.


After a competitive international tender process using a design from Walker Marine Design, the construction of the vessel at Cowes on the Isle of Wight completes the evolutionary process that saw the original Medina Class Lifeboat built very close to the current build location over 35 years ago - before the design was adopted by the Dutch who built the stations current Lifeboat, ‘Bernard Matthews II’ 16 years ago.


The 14m self-righting Lifeboat features an aluminum hull, deck and coach roof together with a resiliently mounted GRP wheelhouse to reduce noise and vibration for the crew. The fully air-conditioned wheelhouse layout has been designed for up to six crew, all with designated AllSalt Maritime SHOXS 2000 seats. Configuration is for a central helm station forward, nav station aft to stbd and an additional dedicated space for stretcher and casualties.


Twin Scania DI13-077M main propulsion engines drive twin Hamilton HJ364 water jet units for speeds in excess of 35 knots. Twin helm stations will feature Hamilton Jet’s AVX control system and Jet-Anchor functionality for station keeping. A comprehensive navigation and communications suite will be supplied by Boat Electrics and Electronics Ltd.


The vessel has commenced build and will be delivered in 2022.


Ben Colman, Director of Diverse Marine says “We are delighted and very proud to be awarded the contract for this Lifeboat for such a high profile and respected charitable organization. Our expertise building high quality workboats together with the repair and maintenance of Lifeboats stands us in a good position to deliver this first of class vessel, meeting the specific requirements from the crew of the Caister Lifeboat.


Paul Garrod, Chairman of Caister Volunteer Lifeboat Service says says “This marks the next chapter in the history of Caister Independent Lifeboat. Our current lifeboat has served us well over the last 16 years, and carried out many rescues during her time on service. The new lifeboat will be purpose built for our needs at Caister, and the Directors, Crew and Members and all our volunteers are excited and proud that it will be built in the United Kingdom.”


For further information visit www.diversemarine.co.uk


-Ends-


About Caister Volunteer Lifeboat Service

 

SAVING LIVES SINCE 1791 Caister Lifeboat is an independent charity and was Britain’s first independent lifeboat service. Its role is, and always has been, to save lives at sea and along the coastline of Norfolk and Suffolk.


The Caister Lifeboat charity is made up of a board of eight trustee directors, an operational crew and a team of volunteers who help run our office function, on-site shop, cafe and museum. None of our team is paid, so every penny of donations can be used to support our lifesaving work.


The volunteers and directors are responsible for the day-to-day and long-term planning of Caister Lifeboat. That means ensuring the boats and equipment is correctly maintained, the crew are trained and that the bills get paid. The board of directors are also responsible for fund raising and income, which ranges from a series of events throughout the year, as well as promoting donations and legacies.


The board of directors meets monthly, with another monthly meeting for our 38 members, which is made up of current and past crew. Through the discussions at these meetings, the charity’s policies, aims and ambitions are set out, as well as decisions on investment in lifesaving equipment, training and fund raising.


The charity has been supported and visited by HRH Duke and Duchess of Cornwall, the Princess Royal and Princess Alexandra. In 2012, the year of the diamond jubilee of HM Queen Elizabeth II, Caister Lifeboat was invited to take part in the Pageant on the Thames, where the charity was presented with the Queen’s Award for Voluntary Service - the equivalent of an MBE.

 

To find out more about Caister Volunteer Lifeboat Service, please visit: 

 

https://www.caisterlifeboat.org.uk

NR Marine Services commissions Chartwell Marine to bring a new legacy turbine vessel to the market

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

NR Marine Services and WMD announce development of New Cyclone Class CTV

6 June 2025
Cowes, UK (06.06.25) Following on from the success of the Storm Class CTV’s, we are delighted to announce that NR Marine Services have engaged WMD to develop the new Cyclone Class CTV. Building on the proven capabilities of the Storm Class, the Cyclone Class will enhance onboard accommodation and welfare facilities, offering a new level of comfort and functionality for offshore operations. NR Marine’s Storm Class vessels have been designed by WMD and built at Isle of Wight shipyard, Diverse Marine. The Cyclone Class continues NR Marine’s commitment to supporting UK design and shipbuilding. With an extended 29-metre hull, the Cyclone Class allows for increased internal volume, accommodating up to 6 cabins and 24 passengers. Key design features include: Deck cargo capacity: 30 tonnes Propulsion: 4 x Volvo IPS1050 Maximum speed: 28 knots Length: 29 metres Richard Thurlow, Director at NR Marine says “Working with WMD on the new Cyclone range was a no-brainer. Their previous designs have exceeded expectations, and we’re excited to welcome this new vessel into our fleet.” Nikki Walker, Project Manager at WMD comments “We’ve really enjoyed seeing NR Marine grow since the delivery of their first WMD-designed vessel. Being trusted to help them develop a new class of vessel is a huge compliment, and we look forward to seeing the Cyclone Class take shape and enter operation.” WMD will be exhibiting at Stand G19 from 10–12 June 2025 in Southampton. NR Marine will be showcasing their new vessel, NR HUNTER, at Berth VB22 alongside Diverse Marine.

Diverse Marine’s Finance & Lease Programme Delivers Two CTVs, with Five More in Build

27 February 2025
Cowes, UK (27-02-25) Since launching its Finance & Lease Programme in November 2023, Diverse Marine has successfully delivered two crew transfer vessels (CTVs), with three more currently in build for delivery this year and two further shortly thereafter of the first batch.The programme continues to operate as a rolling initiative, providing new-build CTVs based on customer demand. The first vessel completed under the programme was NR Alpha, which was unveiled at Seawork last year. This Storm Class CTV has set new benchmarks for fuel efficiency and performance, leading NR Marine Services to order a third vessel—NR Rival, the first of the new Typhoon Class CTVs. NR Rival was delivered in January 2025. TheTyphoon Class features a hull form designed for exceptional head-sea performance and tower access while maintaining high buoyancy reserves for superior seakeeping in following and stern-quarter seas. It also comes with Zero Emissions (Power Management) class notation, recognising its efficiency in reducing fuel consumption and CO2 emissions. Stock Build 3, a first Brevity Class CTV is undergoing sea trials with the vessel available for quick delivery following rebrand to suit a prospective clients requirements. Stock Build 4, to be named NR Rebellion, a second Typhoon Class CTV, is now in its final build phase, with the wheelhouse and saloon fitted earlier this month. Again ordered by NR Marine Services, she is scheduled for launch and sea trials in March. Owen Nutt, Director at NR Marine Services, commented: “Receiving three world-class CTVs in the last 10 months has been transformative for our business. Each vessel has outperformed expectations in speed and efficiency, delivering significant fuel cost savings for our clients.This success has given us the confidence to order another Typhoon Class CTV and another Storm Class CTV through Diverse Marine’s Finance & Lease Programme, and we look forward to putting them to work soon.” Meanwhile, Stock Build 5, to be named NR Hunter, a third Storm Class CTV, is currently under construction at Diverse Marine’s facility in Cowes and will be launched at Seawork in June. Stock Build 6, an Ambitious Class CTV is also currently under construction and will be delivered to OEG, whilst Stock Build 7, a further Brevity Class CTV, will follow in Q3/Q4 of this year. Ben Colman, Director at Diverse Marine, added: “The success of our Finance & Lease Programme is proving that high-quality, next-generation CTVs can be more accessible and affordable for operators. By reducing the financial barriers to vessel ownership, we’re enabling companies to upgrade their fleets with more efficient and capable vessels. With four more vessels in build and strong interest in future slots, we look forward to continuing to support the offshore wind industry with innovative financing and cutting-edge designs.” For more information on the Diverse Marine Finance & Lease Programme, including availability and build slots, please contact Ben Colman or Peter Curtis on 01983 300656.
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