Page 1
Page 2
Page 3
Page 4
Page 5
Page 6
Page 7
Page 8
ISSUE 12 October 2015 NEWS AND VIEWS FROM TEAM HUMBER MARINE ALLIANCE Caspian bound Engineering for all Abnormal load Vision becomes reality 4 6 87 Not always calm waters This is the Sea Challenger jack-up vessel specially designed for installing North Sea wind turbines even when the weather turns nasty. Built in China for new THMA member A2SEA with the strong growth of the North European offshore market in mind Sea Challenger is now into her second year of operation. She has a 900-tonne crane and can operate in water depths up to 55m. The 132m vessel can accommodate four Siemens 6MW turbines and up to 60 people. The close business and industrial relationships Team Humber Marine Alliance has nurtured across the UK and European continue to develop in new and interesting ways. We have recently signed a Memorandum of Understanding with our peers in Denmark at OffshoreEnergy.dk at the same time as looking forward to more inward and outward trade missions. On the horizon for next month is a high profile delegation from Germany including the Secretary of State for Lower Saxony home to the major offshore wind energy ports of Bremerhaven and Cuxhaven. That close relationship between the UK and the US can only enhance an inward trade mission from across the Atlantic at the end of the year and then pending final approval our own offshore wind trade mission to the US east coast and Great Lakes in the early part of 2016. These initiatives come in the wake of significant well known project developments and milestones across the Humber and east coast Siemens in Hull Able Marine Energy Park and the Dogger Bank Hornsea Race Bank and Westermost Rough offshore wind farms. These and others have brought significant opportunities and challenges in terms of developing a genuine sustainable supply chain and skilled employment base. Thats one of the reason why as a proactive organisation we continue to champion training and education and are thrilled that the students have begun studying at the Humber UTC in Scunthorpe as they progress towards renewables and engineering careers. THMA is also starting a Marine Offshore Skills Forum to better understand demand gaps and build capacity locally. Despite a still difficult economic climate the steady level of activity from offshore renewables and ports activity is stimulus to local and inward investment. This is reflected in the growth of our membership with major players such as A2SEA CT Offshore and SIEM Offshore joining alongside new smaller businesses such as Butterworth Marine and East Coast Tidal Energy. We are always keen to hear from and see our member companies at the offices and out and about at shows events and meetings we are firm believers that closer relationships can only better foster the potential for individual and mutual success. New Humber UTC opens backed by THMA members Humber UTC in Scunthorpe opened its doors to students for the first time in September. The North Lincolnshire Council commissioned project which is backed by Team Humber Marine Alliance involves key regional businesses including member companies Able UK DONG Energy North Lindsey College RES Offshore Tata Steel and the University of Hull. Specialising in engineering and renewables alongside other key subjects the Humber UTC has an emphasis on hands-on learning where students get to deal with real issues they would expect to find in the workplace. Built by the council over the last year at a cost of 9.5m it is expected that around 145 students aged 14-19 will study at the college in the first year with final numbers eventually rising to about 600 in 2020. Closer relationships foster potential Mark OReilly CEO Major offshore operators are among new Team Humber Marine Alliance members. They include Danish companies A2SEA and CT Offshore which have taken out joint membership. A2SEA has a lions share of the offshore wind installation market while CT Offshore since starting out as a consultancy in 2002 has developed into an installation company in its own right. A2SEA acquired a 29 per cent share interest in CT Offshore in 2011 and has since become the majority shareholder. Also joining THMA is SIEM Offshore Contractors based in Leer in Northern Germany. SOC is an experienced submarine cable and umbilical installation repair and maintenance contractor serving the worldwide offshore oil and gas as well as renewable energy industries. They are keen to work closely with the local Humber supply chain. Expeditors is another new member with wide experience of Brazil which it describes as probably the single most difficult market in the world to export to. Expeditors which manages supply chains around the world has headquarters in Seattle and runs a Hull office. Other new THMA members include Butterworth Marine of Scarborough C Force Marine of Hull East Coast Tidal Energy of Walkington IRISNDT a nationwide supplier of non-destructive testing services Red International a communications agency providing design digital and editorial services and ED-CON. Welcome aboard Beverley-based THMA member Boston Energy is to provide service management teams for Vensys Energys 1.5MW UK turbines. The work represents a significant shift in the focus of the company from service support into service management. Boston Energy has also been awarded a supplier contract with MHI Vestas to provide turbine technicians for service and OM activities placing technicians in the North Hoyle wind farm off the North Wales coast. Shift in focus for Beverley member CT Offshores cable laying vessel SIA is installing all of the 97 inter-array cables on DONG Energys Gode wind farm in the German part of the North Sea. Laying the cables The specialist contractor has recently invested 100000 in new equipment machinery vehicles and business development. Ian Wilkinson managing director said that since buying Precision Drilling in 2013 his company had spent invested more than 250000 in overhauling operations including capital expenditure training and marketing. In the last six months spending has included 82000 on four new vans. With the support of Green Port Growth 25000 has been injected in the form of new equipment including a new ring saw pre- cut saw power pack wet vacs generators and drill motors. This stage of our expansion and growth has been very successful in bringing in new contracts in the Humber and increasingly further afield added Mr Wilkinson. Precision Drilling has completed dock and portside related work in Grimsby at the Port of Grimsby East and Royal Dock in Hull at Albert Dock King George Dock Queen Elizabeth Dock and the former Ruscadors dry dock. This has been a mixture of flood works new build demolition lock gate repair and replacement The Dorset police came calling at Humber RIBs recently. The West Country force is a big fan of Hull-based Humber RIBs after last year buying a Humber Ocean Pro 750 rigid inflatable pictured. The boat has been back in East Yorkshire for her first full service. They absolutely love what she can do said Alix Richardson of RIBs. Shes built to the Maritime and Coastguard Agency code and although mainly responsible for patrolling jobs and creating a police presence she helps the marine division provide emergency support and response services. The division operates cross 89 miles of coastline out to the 12-mile limit and on inland waters. Humber RIBs also supplies vessels to different sections of Humberside Police among them the counter terrorism unit and its boats are with other forces and fire and rescue services. Police dial 999 for RIBs spares ABP appoints Humber director Simon Bird has swapped the Bristol Channel for the Humber after 15 years in the West Country. Formerly chief executive of ABPs Bristol Port Company he is now director of the businesss Humber operations in Goole Grimsby Hull and Immingham with the challenge of delivering further growth. As the countrys busiest trading gateway the Humber ports are vital to the economy of the region and the UK as a whole and Im looking forward to working with my new colleagues to build on the success of these operations to deliver further growth and ensure our customers receive the highest standard of service said Simon. James Cooper chief executive said that the ABP was in the process of investing 400m plus in state-of-the art facilities and infrastructure. Diving specialist Reach Engineering and Diving Services has opened a new 250000 offshore support base in Grimsby. The 400m sq unit on the towns South Humberside Industrial Estate will also offer its decompression and service facilities to other dive companies. related to increased vessel size requirements for servicing offshore wind farms said Mr Wilkinson. Further investment by Precision Drilling has helped it win a raft of new construction and demolition jobs stemming from increased offshore wind and green energy contracts. Precision investment Continuing to build relationships in the energy sector in Scotland the marine team of Hull firm WWL ALS is relocating its Aberdeen office to NorSeas handling and warehousing complex in the citys Altens district. WWL specialises in handling large and abnormal loads and is currently working on two large onshore wind projects via the Humber Port. Aberdeen move for Hull firm A longer reach The company part of J.R. Rix Sons Ltd will take delivery of a 27.4m ship built by French company Piriou next April. The boat the largest in Rix Sea Shuttles fleet is designed to operate in the shallow waters around wind farms and will use jet engines instead of a traditional prop and propeller configuration making it more manoeuvrable. James Doyle managing director of Rix Sea Shuttle said they had decided to expand their fleet due to growing demand. Currently all the companys other boats the Rix Cheetah Rix Panther Rix Tiger and the Rix Lion are working at wind farms in UK and European waters. Mr Doyle said Demand for crew transfer vessels has increased significantly this year and is forecast to grow exponentially in 2016. With all our current boats chartered we need more capacity. We have ordered this boat at precisely the right time. As the UK and European offshore market has begun to mature the industry has got a much better understanding of what vessels are needed to do what jobs. In effect it is becoming more specialised. Our strategy has always been to develop a varied fleet of crew transfer vessels to give us the ability to work across all aspects of the sector and the new boat builds on that. It will enable us to operate in shallow waters so broadens the range of work we can carry out. The vessel due to be named the Rix Leopard has been designed by leading naval architect Nigel Gee and is currently under construction in Vietnam. It has a top speed of 27.5 knots a maximum cargo capacity of 20 tonnes and features an 8.5 tonne crane as standard. . From Brid to THMAIL reports on how Humber firms are backing Rix Sea Shuttle is extending its fleet of crew transfer vessels as it continues to makes waves in the offshore wind farm sector. 4 AFS Consultants a vessel traffic services training company has provided a bespoke induction course for Associated British Ports apprentice training scheme in Immingham. This is the third course that ABP has commissioned for their apprentices using AFS Consultants to supply training in nautical knowledge and local port services. The course is designed to give the students an introduction to the marine industry by focusing on aspects of ships and their operation as well as their interaction with ports and harbours. AFS Consultants which recently agreed two two-year training contract extensions for clients in Brazil and the United Arab Emirates has also gained Maritime and Coastguard Agency approval for delivery of human element leadership and management courses. These courses are normally for sea going officers such as master or chief mate on ships of 500gt or more but are also ideal for shore-based personnel. Whitby offshore centre moves closer The development of Endeavour Wharf Whitby as an offshore wind OM centre took a step closer to fruition with recent public consultation. Dalby Offshore Services and Scarborough Borough Council are jointly developing the facility and sought comment on the design by architect Group Ginger of Leeds. It will also be a base for technical and engineering companies needed to maintain the turbines and there will be a public exhibition space where people can see what is happening out at sea via a video link. A final decision by the council is expected by the end of 2015 after which the project should take a year to complete. Laurie Farmer of Dalby Offshore said We are taking a third of Endeavour Wharf all together and expect to be create between 300 and 400 jobs for the borough. These jobs will be at sea and in support operations on shore. l Dalby Offshore has added a further vessel to its growing fleet of offshore wind farm support vessels by acquiring a high specification Damen 2610 mark 2 Twin Axe vessel from Australia. The 25m vessel has been named the Dalby Ribble and has been registered in Whitby. Fellow THMA member Myton Law provided legal advice on all aspects of the acquisition. Emirates ports group AFS Consultants provided vessel traffic services training in the United Arab Emirates for Abu Dhabi Ports. AFS on a global course The Enigma will join her sister vessel the Genesis Rose built by MMS six years ago to catch lobsters crabs and whelks. The Enigma is kitted out with a 20-tonne seawater tank replenished with water every 10 minutes for lobsters and crabs plus a separate SMS Towage has taken delivery of another tug for its Belfast operations bringing the Hessle-based firms overall investment in the Northern Irish capital to 9m. The Turkish-built ASD Merchantman is sister tug to the ASD Masterman which started in the city in 2013 and joins the most modern fleet of omni- directional tugs in Belfast Harbour. Gareth Escreet SMS director said This is a significant level of investment and shows our commitment and confidence in the growing level of activity in Belfast. SMS was attracted to Belfast by the potential for work from a new offshore wind terminal and a purpose built cruise terminal. Last year a record 112000 cruise passengers passed through the port. o the Caspian Sea g the quest for oil wind and fish... Built to a shallow draft landing craft design with a maximum payload of 6000kg the Catro VI and Catro VII will operate as part of a survey fleet for a new oil refinery in Kazakhstan. Theyve been designed to carry a Land Rover and trailer loaded with equipment to survey a dredging channel in the shallow waters where the refinery is to be built said Vickie Prince Seahorse Marine business director. The vessels high density polyethylene material construction Seahorse Marine has built and delivered two survey vessels to be deployed in the Caspian Sea for Van Oord the Dutch dredging and land reclamation group. 15-tonne hold for storing whelks. MMS Ship Repairs managing director Rob Langton said We used to do a lot of fishing boats when we started the company up 20 years ago but its diminished now so its quite nice to build a fishing boat again. provides tremendous strength and buoyancy and contributes to a stable and reliable working platform designed to operate with minimal maintenance but great reliability and safety. Hull-based MMS Ship Repair has built the 49ft 1m Genesis Enigma for Genesis Fishing of Bridlington. Back fishing again Big in Belfast Powered by twin Volvo D3 engines coupled to twin Hamilton 241 Waterjets the vessels are 10m long have a 3m beam and are equipped with a large bow ramp powered by twin 12v winches. The Merchantman alongside the Irishman SMSs first Belfast tug Shallow water specialist the new Rix Sea shuttle Double dutch One of the survey vessels bound for Kazakhstan 5 Engineering a career for women Pickle on the Humber Maritime certification changes A replica of the boat that delivered a message of death and glory to the nation more than 200 years ago has arrived on the Humber. Because the topsail schooner HMS Pickle was the fastest in the fleet at the Battle of Trafalgar she was despatched to Falmouth with news of victory and the fate of Admiral Horatio Nelson. Three years later she broke up after running aground off Cadiz. Crowds gathered to welcome the replica boat into Hull Marina at the end of a voyage from Gibraltar with new owner Mal Nicholson from North Lincolnshire and his crew. They included Geoff Mackrill from THMA member Teal and Mackrill whose Teamac range of marine paints and coatings were used to return the boat to pristine condition. Geoff who is managing director and the third generation of his family in the company said To see my grandfathers paint used on such an awe-inspiring vessel makes us very proud. HETA is targeting schools students employees and parents with the initiative which will feature open days engineering taster events marketing activities and dedicated Girls Into Engineering days. Iain Elliott HETAs chief executive said the organisation has trained 22 female engineers since 2010 at its three sites Foxhills Scunthorpe CATCH Stallingborough and Copenhagen Road Hull. But Iain said more needs to be done Between 2012 and 2014 the number of women entering engineering increased by more than 100 per cent but the starting level was very low. The UK produces 36000 fewer engineers than are required by British industry. The evidence suggests that girls outnumber boys in STEM subject choices and also outperform boys in STEM qualifications. But many girls are not choosing physics beyond the age of 16 they are losing the opportunity to choose engineering Humberside Engineering Training Association has embarked on a campaign to attract more women into engineering careers. from the age of 18 and only nine per cent of women progress to work in STEM subjects. Emma Johnson who comes from Welwick East Yorkshire is helping HETA to promote engineering careers for women after securing a renewables apprenticeship sponsored by Centrica. She said Weve been working very closely with engineers from Ecotricity going up wind turbines to carry out inspections. I want to try and progress with Centrica and hopefully get into management. 6 Up in the world Emma Johnson on the UKs first megawatt class windmill at Ecotricitys Green Britain centre in Norfolk Many girls are not choosing physics beyond the age of 16 they are losing the opportunity to choose engineering from the age of 18 Changes to maritime certification standards mean that all seafarers have to refresh their maritime certification by January 1 2017. Before 2010 short course certification for the maritime industry needed to be taken only once however they are now on a five-year rolling basis says HOTA General Manager Karen Shepherd. The changes within the maritime industry have seen a substantial increase in demand. HOTA has so far has trained more than 2000 delegates and conducted more than 300 courses said Karen. The changes are industry wide and affect a vast range of delegates anyone from those in the fishing trade to personnel working on- board luxury cruise liners. In 2013 HOTA announced that it was one of the first training providers in the UK to provide the STCW10 Maritime Refresher Training Courses. Home is the Humber Pickles arrival with the Royal Navy patrol vessel HMS Explorer Jack Harland Hull Daily Mail An unusual load for Collett and Sons comprised a 10-tonne life-size metal elephant. The Halifax-based THMA member moved it for Weir Minerals at Todmorden where it was cast. The sculpture is now standing at Glasgows Bellahouston Park to serve as a permanent legacy of the 2014 Commonwealth Games. The work is by Scottish sculptor Kenny Hunter who used scrap metals from locomotives built near Glasgow that went to the farthest corners of the Commonwealth. Collett Sons commitment to improving safety environmental impact and efficiency has been rewarded with a silver accreditation by the Fleet Operator Recognition Scheme. The marine and transport team at the law firm of Andrew Jackson has come out as one of the top two firms in the Yorkshire and Humber region in the Legal 500 clients guide. The firms top quality team continues to be nationally recognised for its shipping work among other forms of transport and advises on charter party disputes international trade issues and regulatory defence work. Football managers usually prowl the technical area but Captain Lee Hadfield is different. The C Force Marine managing director won the trophy for the best-managed Saturday team in the East Riding County League while he was thousands of miles away as captain of a 200m vessel operating in the Gulf of Mexico. He became the Facebook gaffer. But his main success has been taking C Force United into the premier division of Hull Sunday League after winning three successive promotions as well as Halford Cup knock-out competition and the champion of champions trophy. C Force also sponsors two other mens teams under-15s and a womens side which erstwhile Turks Caicos national team manager Matt Green coaches. I have spent upwards of 8000 over the last four years and the motivation is to benefit the community as much as a love of football. C Force recently raised hundreds of pounds for Macmillan Cancer Support at a mixed match held at Marist College Hull. Based at Banwell near Bristol Spencer has provided marine surveying marine consultancy and loss adjusting services since being founded in 1984 by Captain Chris Spencer. Albert Weatherill McAusland Turners chief executive said it was a good time to be increasing capacity in the West Country. We provide pilotage services for the River Parrett and it is anticipated that much of the materials required Marine surveyor McAusland Turner has bought the C. F. Spencer Co consultancy for an undisclosed sum. Win-win The elephant on the truck New marine legal and technical specialist Butterworth Marine has been contracted to assist in a broken down vessel in the Mediterranean and a cruise ship collision in Uruguay. Director Iain Butterworth of the Scarborough-based firm said Both cases are very interesting and have given a helpful boost at the start of our new venture. The company has been set up to advise and assist on a variety of marine legal disputes including vessel build and repair casualty investigation technical appraisal and survey inspections and audits. Hoillie Burnett left and Sophie Wheeldon who have begun their careers as solicitors after completing training contracts with Hull law firm and THMA member Rollits. Top pairing Captain Chris Spencer right teams up with Mike and Albert Weatherill The Facebook gaffer Law boost Top two Rollits starters 7 for the Hinkley C nuclear power station will arrive through that river. Both companies are closely aligned and want to provide the best possible service to clients. The combination of our individual strengths will be a win-win benefit for all parties. Captain Spencer who stays on as a consultant said We couldnt imagine a better suitable pairing than with McAusland Turner. Working in partnership with HOTA the University of Hull and Centrica HFR Solutions has created a 40m external working at height tower an internal working at height area a confined space facility plus specially designed training sets and training classrooms at its Hessle site. Viewed by THMA members and industry at a September launch event the training ground can deliver the basic safety training requirements of the Global Wind Organisation and Renewable UK for the offshore wind industry as well as other risk prevention and emergency response services. Collaboration is at the heart of the new venture explains Nick Granger director at HFR Solutions. The HOTA partnership is an excellent opportunity for two local companies to get together to offer the expertise of the maritime and offshore industries and the fire and rescue service to the renewable industry. It also incorporates the established training facilities at HOTA in Hull with our new training facilities in Hessle and is a natural fit as were both local training providers established to benefit the local community. The University of Hulls Hull Immersive Visualisation Environment team has created several virtual offshore environments to facilitate training. Having this sort of technology at our fingertips only strengthens and differentiates the training we can offer added Nick. HFR Solutions has been working with Centrica Energy for the last year in both a consultation and training capacity to improve safety at offshore wind farms. The collaborative work of three Team Humber members on the provision of skills safety and expertise for the offshore wind industry was on view at the unveiling of HFR Solutions new training facility. Ticking boxes HFRs new training facility at Hessle Fully immersed getting that offshore feeling at the University of Hull Teaming-up for training LCS Group is urging businesses to focus on IT security in the wake of continued cyber attacks. Around 74 per cent of SMEs have suffered a major security breach within the last year according to government figures with more than 50 per cent of those surveyed believing security breaches will rise by next year. Glenn Thow director said It is no longer sufficient to simply install a proprietary anti-virus package and think you are safe. Many SMEs are unaware of the security risks involved and are consequently vulnerable to both internal and external attacks. The Grimsby-based specialist which moved into new offices earlier this year has also appointed a new managing director Paul Cave is pictured on the left with Glen Thow. To contact THMAIL Mary Green at THMA on 01482 485271adminthma.co.uk Julian Woodford at Mapa on 01482 976976julianmapapr.co.uk September saw THMA mixing business and pleasure exhibiting at the Offshore Europe conference in Aberdeen and co-hosting the Drinks over the Humber event for more than 70 people with Grimsby Renewables Partnership on the refurbished Cleethorpes Pier. THMA and members also attended the Renewable UK annual conference and exhibition in Liverpool in October and facilitated a popular Green Port Growth workshop on social media for renewables. Forthcoming dates for your diary are October 22 Understanding offshore wind ports and logistics at Country Park Inn Hessle November 17-20 EWEA in Paris. www.ewea.organnual2015 November 19 Inward visit from Lower Saxony Cuxhaven Northern Germany December 7 TBC GeoSea Supply Chain Event with Grimsby Renewable Partnership Grimsby December 8 Inward visit from NovaVis and Virginia Offshore Wind Coalition USA December 10 THMA Christmas night out Cyber security a must For more information on any of the above events contact Mary Green see below