Seacat Services informed today that it had moved into its new purpose-designed headquarters in Cowes, Isle of Wight, and strengthened its operational team ahead of the major offshore wind construction phase beginning in April this year.
With a number of high-profile multi-gigawatt offshore wind developments poised to enter construction from April 2017, the industry is preparing for a prolonged period of heightened activity, the company said.
“While it has, to all intents and purposes, been ‘business as usual’ at Seacat Services over the past few months, behind the scenes we have simultaneously been gearing up for what is likely to be the busiest period of offshore wind construction to date,” said Ian Baylis , Managing Director, Seacat Services. “In practice, that means not only upgrading the ‘hardware’ that makes our logistical operations possible with our new facility, but also the ‘software’ in the form of talented personnel who will play a crucial role in driving operations forward over the coming years.”
The new facility in Cowes has been part-funded by a grant from regional development agency, the Solent Local Enterprise Partnership (LEP), and will help to further enhance the opportunities provided by the regional offshore wind supply chain.
Seacat Services said its new headquarters has been designed to significantly increase the on-site storage and service options available to the business, including extensive equipment stores and workshop facilities for in-house repairs. These facilities will allow Seacat Services to rapidly mobilise major core components, including spare engines, which are held on-site. These facilities are accompanied by an expanded suite of offices from which the Seacat Services onshore team can continue to deliver project management support via its integrated management system.
The team itself has continued to expand in line with recent and upcoming activity and ahead of the launch of two new vessels, which will increase the fleet to 14, Seacat Services added. February will see the official acceptance of the first of class High Speed Utility Vessel (HSUV), Seacat Enterprise, into the Seacat Services fleet.