UK crew transfer operator HST has taken delivery of the first of a new class of Damen Multi Cat, the 2309, the addition of which to the company’s fleet of Crew Transfer Vessels (CTVs) representing the first stage of HST’s strategy to become a total solutions provider to the offshore renewables sector.
Damen’s Multi Cat 2309 is a new, mid-range model suited for a wide range of tasks. HST can now offer workboat services such as marine logistics and general contracting alongside its crew transfer business.
For the new vessel, HST has specified Volvo Penta engines for added efficiency and emissions reductions, as they can be easily converted for IMO Tier III compliance. The bow thruster has been upgraded for enhanced manoeuvrability. Other equipment upgrades include a 5t pull winch and a heavy duty crane with a lifting capacity of 25t at 5.8m outreach. On the aft deck a tugger winch with 12t pull has been installed along with an A-frame with plough for cable laying. Additional redundancy throughout the vessel is another feature, ensuring reliability and versatility.
The new vessel, named HST Hazel, was built at Damen Shipyards Hardinxveld in the Netherlands. It will initially be based out of HST’s home port of Swansea, supporting clients in Wales and south-western England.
HST MD Tom Nevin said: “The acquisition of the HST Hazel is just the beginning of our strategy of extending our services to become a total solutions provider. We are doing this in response to the preference of our offshore renewables customers for a single point of contact for all their offshore support.”
Damen’s UK and Ireland sales manager, Frederik van der Linde, added: “We are delighted to have HST as the launch customer of our new Multi Cat 2309 design. Because HST is already successfully operating four Damen FCS 2710s, we are able to offer them convenient and cost-efficient service support as their fleet expands and diversifies, all via a single point of contact. This will give them peace-of-mind and more time to focus on their customers. We are confident that HST Hazel will outperform expectations.”
