Upgraded version of MCS SWATH 1 to be built in the UK

The UK’s Renewable Energy Support (RES) has signed a contract with Alicat Workboats for the construction of MCS SWATH 2, a 26-metre SWATH crew transfer vessel.

It is understood RES has signed a contract with Maritime Craft Services to manage and market the vessel.

MCS SWATH 2 is being designed by Ad-Hoc Marine Designs and is a development of the company’s existing vessel MCS SWATH 1, delivered from Taiwan in 2016. The vessel will start construction in October 2017 and be delivered in October 2018.

The vessel is to be powered by quad Scania DI16-076M 600kW main engines coupled to Hundested marine gears driving two shafts to controllable pitch propellers that will drive MCS SWATH 2 to speeds in excess of 25 knots in 2.5-metre Hs.

The vessel will also have active ballast management and an active ride/motion control system to ensure comfortable sea keeping and fuel efficiency. Whilst loitering in the field, two engines can be disengaged to save fuel and there is a lot of redundancy with the quad engine set up.