Delivery Of Aqualink Denotes Landmark In Evolution Of Blyth Workcats

ESSEX, U.K. - May 6, 2015 - PRLog -- The 18-metre Aqualink is the first Blyth Workcat to feature a high bridge and it has now entered service with Ostend Marine Services for which it has been designed to undertake a wide range marine operations. These include work as a charter survey vessel while also being equipped with an Ocean 3 bow fender and wide foredeck that enable it to undertake crew transfer and cargo delivery to offshore wind farms.

      Powered by two MAN V8 750 engines the new boat has a cruising speed of 20 knots and a range of around 700 miles that is made possible by two 600 gallon fuel tanks and an economical fuel consumption of around 75 litres per hour.   The smart cabin interior is fitted to carry 10-passengers in comfort on full suspension seats. There is also a kitchen and dinette and a two-berth cabin for use during extended cruising.

      The Aqualink is possibly unique among vessels of this size in that it can also be chartered as a fully equipped professional survey boat. Its design includes a watertight compartment occupied by a moon pool and multi-beam sonar deployment module designed and built specifically for the vessel. There is also an A-frame davit that can be used for launching a RIB, towfish or for bottom sampling and the deployment of seabed equipment. The high bridge affords clear, all-round visibility from the helm and navigation seats and also accommodates the principal survey desk that can be used for topsides electronics when on charter.

      This is now the second Blyth boat that Ostend Marine Services has purchased from the Canvey Island, UK, yard. The company has been using a 14-metre Workcat successfully for several years and experience gained with this boat has enabled the new owners to identify design refinements and to commission the new vessel to include a variety of features of their choosing.

      “There is probably no such thing as a standard Blyth Workcat and the Aqualink illustrates this perfectly,” said Edward Tuite customer services manager for the yard. “We specialise in being able to provide custom quality boats at mass production prices and this is a good way of winning customer loyalty. Buyers can specify all of the little and apparently inconsequential details that make the difference between a boat that is simply acceptable and one that is loved. It can be built without any of the niggling irritations that can stop a design winning five stars of approval from the customer. An example on the Aqualink is the small wash basin that has been installed on the after deck just outside the cabin. This was fitted at the customer’s request so that there is no need for passengers or crew to bring grubby hands into the accommodation area. It is details like this that make a difference to a boat and we are happy to include them.”

      All Blyth Workcats enjoy a reputation for their rugged sea-keeping capabilities and the new Blyth 18-metre High Bridge now joins a range consisting of 10, 11, 12, 14 and 20-metre catamarans. These can be built for wind farm support, surveying, dive support, passenger ferry, fishing charter or any of a wide range of workboat tasks. All are constructed from GRP to offer important advantages over metal-hulled boats such as lower running costs and a much lower initial outlay on buying the vessels. GRP boats can also be built to provide additional strength where it is needed and valuable weight savings wherever the design permits it.  Hull lamination and construction is governed by meticulous quality control so the customer can benefit from a boat that has been built to exactly meet their needs while enabling rugged strength and reinforcement to be applied wherever it is required.

      For more information visit;          www.blythworkcats.co.uk

-ENDS-

Commercial enquiries

Edward Tuite

Blyth Workcats

Unit 1, Kings Close, Charfleets Industrial Estate,

Canvey Island, Essex SS8 0QZ

Tel: +44 (0) 1268 684422, Mob: +44 (0)7738 103499

edward@blythworkcats.co.uk