VESSEL REVIEW | Forth Constructor – Shallow-draught maintenance workboat to support UK marine construction and renewables projects
UK-based Briggs Marine and Environmental Services has taken delivery of a new maintenance support vessel built by Freire Shipyard of Spain.
The Lloyd’s Register-classed Forth Constructor has been developed to support Briggs Marine's contracts with the UK Government, as well as offshore wind farms and commercial ports and harbours.
With a DP2 system and diesel-electric propulsion, the vessel will primarily be used for inspection, maintenance and replacement of aids to navigation (AtoN) and heavy inshore moorings, both in the UK and overseas.
It will also carry out seabed inspection and survey, diving, and ROV operations, as well as offshore project and maintenance support operations. Inshore cable laying operations will be possible thanks to the vessel’s operational draught of only 2.5 metres (8.2 feet).
Full equipment suite for undertaking various roles
Forth Constructor has a length of 39.99 metres (131.2 feet), a beam of 12.4 metres (40.7 feet), a displacement of 875 tonnes, and a gross tonnage of 636. Four Scania D16 480kW generators drive two Hydromaster 640kW azimuthing thrusters to deliver a maximum speed of 11 knots and a bollard pull of 22 tonnes.
Two Hydromaster 315kW bow thrusters meanwhile provide additional lateral manoeuvrability for positioning, berthing/unberthing, and navigating through congested waters.
The vessel's key features include a 1.2- by 1.2-metre (3.9- by 3.9-foot) moonpool, a demountable A-frame, a four-point mooring system, a Ferri active heave compensated crane, two Ferri anchor winches, and a dedicated survey/project office.
The vessel is also equipped with a detachable ladder for crewboat boarding, allowing it to support offshore renewable energy projects, as well as side and stern rollers, towing pins and forks, and two windlasses from Ferri.
Ample transport capacity and accommodation
The vessel has a spacious deck with a total area of 180 square metres (1,900 square feet) and a cargo capacity of 75 tonnes for transporting assorted payloads including ISO containers. The deck is configured for maximum crew safety and continued service in arduous conditions where required.
The vessel provides cabins with en suite toilets for six crewmembers and up to 10 project members, enabling 24-hour operations even under arduous conditions. Briggs has prioritised crew comfort by requesting the incorporation of noise- and vibration-reducing measures so that the crew and the project staff will be well-rested.
Briggs Marine said Forth Constructor meets or exceeds all current and anticipated emissions standards.
