A Hampshire boatbuilder has won an order from BAE Systems for a dive support vessel to help maintain warships and jetties in Portsmouth’s naval dockyard.
Meercat Workboats has started work on the bespoke 15m x 6m craft after being awarded the contract by the global defence, aerospace and security company.
Meercat, which is based at Trafalgar Wharf in Portchester, is on target to complete the specialist vessel by the end of May.
James Lewis, operations director at the 14-strong company, said: “The design brief called for a manoeuverable vessel, with a wheel-house, messroom, designated dive room and a crane.
“It will primarily support BAE Systems’ diving teams for duties connected with Royal Navy vessels and port installations in the naval dockyard, including maintenance support to waterfront jetties, the Type 45 Destroyers and the Queen Elizabeth aircraft carriers when they arrive in Portsmouth in 2017.
“We are making swift progress on the dive support vessel and expect to finish on schedule and on budget.”
James added: “We are pleased to be working with such a prominent and well-respected company as BAE Systems.
“This order is one of our most significant in recent times as we continue to grow as a leading supplier of workboats, especially in the dive, ports, harbours and aquaculture markets.”
The workboat is being fitted with a full HP dive system provided by divex, video capabilities for divers to use in inspections, repair and maintenance. A separate JCB power pack runs the ship’s hydraulics and underwater hydraulic tools.
Derren Chamberlain, BAE Systems maritime services supply chain director, said: “As a company, we are committed to working with local companies, many of whom are Small Medium Enterprises (SMEs).
“This order with Meercat is a welcome demonstration of how we can utilise first class services in the Portsmouth area and also support the marine-related local economy.”
Multi-purpose Meercats are easily transportable around the country by road, including for use on the coast, ports, harbours, lakes and watercourses inland.
The dive support vessel is the second workboat to be built by Meercat since the company was acquired by Britain’s largest independent ship repairer Burgess Marine last September and its 23rd since the company’s launch in 2006.
It follows hot on the heels of the first vessel delivered under the Burgess Marine umbrella, a 14m bespoke workboat for Scottish fish farming specialists Dawnfresh Farming.
Meercat aims to expand its versatile range to include barges, canal tugs, larger workboats and wind farm support vessels. All vessels are designed and built at Portchester, in the Solent region.
Other ongoing projects include a prototype canal tug as well as a multi-purpose workboat.
Meercats can be built to order with single, twin and triple hulls.
Financial details of the deal were not disclosed.
