Safety features dominate Delta’s newly built SX Workboat Crew Transfer Craft

Oct. 17, 2011 - PRLog -- The offshore industry is growing. Business is good. Drilling rigs are constantly on the move as oil companies seek out new fields. Offshore production rigs work flat out, 365 days a year, often in extreme weather conditions. But such burgeoning activity creates problems. Health and safety requirements are continuously being improved and updated. The well-being of offshore crews – both at work on rigs or being transferred to and from land and vessel - is paramount.
When major international offshore operators require offshore support RIBs and craft, they tend to look to Delta Power Group for quality.  Most recently Delta has completed an order for two crew transfer workboats for a worldwide offshore operator.
The two new 8m Delta SX Workboat Crew Transfer Craft have been designed and developed to meet the clients specific needs and to comply with MCA category 3 with YDSA letter certification. Both are to be operated outside UK waters from a Deepwater Drillship around the world when needed. The first has just been delivered following extensive trials in Southampton water and the second is due to undergo trials in the the next few weeks for delivery in early November. Powered by a single Yanmar 4LHA-STP 240hp engine, with propulsion provided by a Hamilton Jet 213 waterjet, the craft are capable of speeds up to 24.5 knots fully laden (with 3 crew and 5 people on board) and 27knots lightly laden.
Features include a Kevlar reinforced bow protector, which can be easily replaced if damaged and a buoyant, durable closed cell foam fendering system produced in house by Delta. A specifically designed platform provides ease of boarding and transfer for crews, whether to oil platforms or larger vessels. Delta technicians recently travelled to Stavanger, Norway to carry out familiarisation training for the clients crews, covering operation, maintenance and manoeuvring.
Delta has been supplying quality build craft to offshore operators for nearly two decades and Charles Dyas, MD says, “Since the introduction of Daughter Craft in the early 90’s as an element in the required Safety Regime, Delta has been at the forefront in working with Duty holders and ERRV companies to ensure that Delta craft meet or exceed their exacting requirements.”  Offshore craft to Standby Rescue code, SOLAS, UKOOA and all approved regulations are within Delta’s portfolio of builds. Their ability to design and build craft to comply with the most exacting requirements has made them a world leader.  Delta craft range in size from 6.5m -11m, accommodating the wide ranging requirements of offshore operators. Many of these models are in use as part of offshore operator fleets throughout the world. http://www.deltapower.co.uk