First hybrid Chartwell 24 handed over to HST Marine

13 August 2021


  • HST Ella, the world’s first hybrid Chartwell 24 crew transfer vessel, handed over following completion at Diverse Marine on the Isle of Wight
  • High performance 26 metre vessel showcases expertise and ingenuity of UK shipbuilding and offshore support sectors

 

Cowes, UK (15-07-21) – HST Marine (HST), an innovative offshore vessel operator that supports the offshore wind energy and oil and gas industries worldwide, has taken delivery of HST Ella, a new hybrid crew transfer vessel (CTV) designed by pioneering naval architect Chartwell Marine. HST Ella is the first hybrid Chartwell 24 vessel to hit the water, following her completion at local Isle of Wight shipyard Diverse Marine.


Tom Nevin, Chief Executive Officer, HST, commented: “Modern crew transfer operations in offshore energy increasingly require proven vessels with a powerful presence on the water. At the same time, a future-proof fleet consists of vessels with strong green credentials as the goal of emissions reduction continues to move up the agenda. 


“Rapidly maturing hybrid technology means that environmental consciousness can sit hand in hand with operational excellence, and in the HST Ella, we have a vessel that delivers both, following a consultative design process with Chartwell Marine, and a high-quality build at Diverse Marine.” 


The HST Ella exhibits performance characteristics of a market leading standard, demonstrating transit speeds of 10 knots on electric propulsion and 30 knots on diesel, while during port operations, the vessel’s electric operation mode allowed for quiet and zero emission low speed maneuverability.


This is enabled by the vessel’s unique hybrid propulsion system. An electric motor sits alongside a diesel engine to drive a high-performance changeable pitch propeller (CPP) system, ensuring superior maneuverability and operational flexibility. The system is coupled with the vessel’s advanced hull form for reduced frictional resistance, and its use of Hydrotreated Vegetable Oil (HVO30) as fuel – a market first for a new build CTV.


Advanced CTVs such as the HST Ella are increasingly expected to perform a range of auxiliary duties alongside personnel transport. The 26-metre vessel is able to carry 24 industrial personnel alongside a maximum payload of 15 tonnes, ensuring maximum versatility when supporting offshore wind operations. Following its launch, the HST Ella will depart to begin its maiden contract at the East Anglia 1 (EA1) wind farm.


The formal handover of the vessel to HST, taking place yesterday at Diverse Marine, celebrates the ingenuity of the British shipbuilding sector, and the enviable concentration of this expertise on England’s South coast and the Isle of Wight.


Ben Colman, Director, Diverse Marine, said: “The UK is rightly proud of its world leading maritime industry, and with this market first hybrid CTV, designed and built on the South Coast, we are proud to add to a long record of maritime innovation in this country. As we hand over the keys to the HST team, we wish them all the best as they take the HST Ella to charter to support safe, efficient wind farm operations.” 


Andy Page, Managing Director, Chartwell Marine, said: “Whether designing a diesel-powered CTV with an innovative hydrofoil system propelled by waterjets, or, as in this case, a large hybrid-electric CTV using HVO fuel with a changeable pitch propeller, we always look to ensure that the proven characteristics of the Chartwell 24 platform are built in.


“Designing for hybrid operations brings specific challenges, but our central philosophy is that we design with the vessel’s eventual operational profile front and centre, and we have been proud to work with Diverse Marine and HST to incorporate lessons learnt from best practice CTV operation into this vessel.”



-Ends-


About Chartwell Marine

 

Chartwell Marine is a pioneer in 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 about Chartwell Marine, please visit: 

 

http://www.chartwellmarine.com/



About High Speed Transfers


High Speed Transfers is an established owner and operator of Crew Transfer Vessels (CTVs). The company’s headquarters are located in the UK and the team have an extensive amount of experience in shipping, vessel management and chartering. They provide services for the Oil & Gas industry and the construction and operation of offshore Wind Parks around the world.

 

High Speed Transfers comprises a group of experienced individuals who specialise in delivery and support of their clients providing them the best possible solution to their needs. They rely on their industry experience, client knowledge and longstanding industry relationships to ensure client expectations are met.


You can read more about HST here:


www.hst-marine.com 

Diverse Marine and OEG Marine Services extend partnership with three further CTVs

20 October 2026
23-09-26 Hamburg, WindEnergy 2026

50 Vessels. One Diverse Marine.

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.

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
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