Hull shipyard MMS builds first aluminium catamaran

A 100 per cent "made in Hull" workboat, which will support the offshore wind farm industry, has had its official launch. The MMS Crusader is the first in a series of aluminium catamarans to be purpose-built to support the offshore renewable energy sector.

Capable of carrying out a number of roles, from fuel or crew transfer to dive support or guard work, the aluminium vessel was built by MMS based at Alexandra Dock, Hull.

Established for 28 years, the company has mainly been involved in ship maintenance and repair and, in addition, has built various workboats. Operating vessels is a new and separate division of the company called MMS Offshore Renewable Services, for which MMS Crusader has been built.

Rob Langton, managing director of MMS, said: "We originally started planning the design work for the MMS Crusader in 2012. This involved engaging an Australian company of naval architects whom we felt had the most experience in carrying out the work for us.

"Because this was the first aluminium vessel with such a high specification we had built, the designers arranged a visit for us to look at a shipyard in Tasmania, which specialises in building similar vessels."

MMS created a new building hall to construct the 25m aluminium vessel and retrained its workforce in specialist aluminium fabrication and welding procedures.

"This first vessel has without doubt been a technical challenge for us due to the very high standards required by the Norwegian Classification Society who oversaw and passed the vessel fit for purpose," said Mr Langton.