Diverse Marine completes early delivery of ‘Iceni Valour’ to Turner Iceni despite challenges of pandemic

Diverse Marine, the industry leading workboat constructor and refit/repair provider is delighted to announce the early delivery of the offshore wind crew transfer vessel ‘Iceni Valour’ to Turner Iceni. The vessel arrived successfully ahead of schedule in North Wales, to commence her 10-year charter in the Liverpool Bay area.

‘Iceni Valour’ is a 24m aluminium CTV designed by Walker Marine Design to meet the specific requirements of Turner Iceni and their long term client. Every aspect of the vessel has been designed to maximise vessel reliability and provide the highest levels of comfort for both the crew and the technicians.

Powered by twin MAN D2862 LE263 1400hp main engines with ZF3050 gearboxes and Hamilton Jet HM651 water jet units, the vessel achieved sprint speeds of 29 knots - maintaining a service speed in excess of 25 knots. With 12,000ltrs of fuel and 12 technicians, the vessel can carry 20,000 kg of deck cargo with only a modest reduction in performance. The hybrid ready Hamilton Jet AVX control system also provides station keeping using the Jet-Anchor function to enable low fuel consumption position lock whilst standing by offshore.

Sea trials during February demonstrated minimal speed loss in higher sea states to ensure the vessel remains operational in the harshest of operating conditions. Twin 37kw NANNI generators provide 400V to the switchboard, providing ship wide hotel loads, as well as a power pack for the crane and winch.

The resiliently mounted deckhouse ensures very low vibration, with noise levels of just 58DbA in the passenger saloon at 25 knots. The technician space benefits from Turner Iceni’s considerable experience as a CTV operator and features, shock mitigating seating, automatic climate control, large window areas, concealed lighting, a forward access door together with underfloor heating to ensure the space remains dry on the wettest days. The flat foredeck provides safe and secure access to on/offshore assets.

The bridge provides a next generation configuration for CTV’s, designed with a minimalist helm console with only essential equipment positioned for the skipper, to ensure that all controls are within arcs of movement. Twin Furuno TZ Touch 19” monitors provide the heart of the vessels navigation and communications with the ability to share information to twin 42” and one 32” Hatteland monitors using Furuno Time Zero. At the core is an augmented reality system using a FLIR thermal camera to show AIS targets, routes, waypoints and navigation hazards over a video screen in real time. All non-essential equipment is located aft on a separate console enabling the crew to interrogate all systems without compromising the safe navigation of the vessel.

As Ben Colman, Director of Diverse Marine states, “We are immensely proud of what has been achieved with this build. Our team have worked exceptionally hard through the challenges of a global pandemic to deliver ‘Iceni Valour’ early to the client, but also on budget and to the highest standard. The result is very impressive.”

Richard Thurlow of Turner Iceni adds: “Collectively, with our teams in Lowestoft and Glasgow, we operate a recognised world class standard of service to our clients with world-class British designed and built boats. I am blown away by the quality from Diverse Marine and for delivering ‘Iceni Valour’ in the most challenging of climates.”