Meercat Boats is celebrating the handover of Guernsey Harbours’ new Meercat MRV 15 metre workboat, which has been formally commissioned into service, following its delivery from the UK.
The new, purpose-built steel multirole vessel, named Sarnia, was built at Meercat Boats’ shipyard in Hythe near Southampton, UK, following the win of a highly coveted tender bid. Sarnia is modelled on Meercat’s MC15 vessel, which was designed by Walker Marine Design, and which has been customised to suit Guernsey Harbours’ specific requirement. The MRV15 is a 15.6 metre steel multirole vessel (MRV) which features a modern off-centre wheelhouse configuration, providing a large, useable deck space area.
Guernsey’s Harbour Master, Captain David Barker said: “The new Sarnia will make the task of looking after our harbours, offshore navigational aids and other infrastructure safer and more efficient for our staff. The new vessel is based on a tried and tested design, but has been adapted for the Bailiwick’s needs. It will give our crew more useable space and, more importantly, a better and safer working environment. Meercat’s design was chosen as it can support the large range of tasks required to keep our harbours running, and be flexible enough to provide assistance to other agencies as required. The vessel will also meet the changing requirements and challenges that the coming decades will bring.”
Meercat Boats’ Business Manager, John Buck said: “We are delighted to have delivered the Sarnia to her owners, following an excellent partnership process with a much valued customer. Like all Meercats, she is a superbly built multirole vessel, and this build quality, combined with the customised specification and enhanced equipment, makes her perfectly suited to her many duties in Guernsey.”
Renowned as the market leader in delivering top quality and cost-effective new build multirole conventional and road transportable steel vessels to 24m, Meercat Boats also provides refits and servicing for vessels up to 100m in length, with a maximum beam of 9m and a draft of 2.8m. Other recent projects include the 18m steel Meercat, Toplift, which received her five-year survey and a refit.
Meercat Boats operates from its Southampton waterside purpose-built shipyard, where it employs highly experienced and dedicated teams of steel shipbuilders, fabricators and finishers.
Contact John Buck to find out more at john@meercatboats.com.
