Keel laid for HST’s new hybrid Chartwell 24 CTV

Diverse Marine has laid the keel for High Speed Transfers’ new hybrid Chartwell 24 crew transfer vessel (CTV) HST Ella.

Hull fabrication for HST Ella is currently underway at the Isle of Wight yard in the UK, HST said.

In July, HST revealed it had awarded Chartwell Marine with a contract to design and deliver the new CTV. Diverse Marine was then selected to build the vessel following a competitive global tender process.

The new hybrid Chartwell 24 design is said to be the product of extensive R&D and ongoing dialogue with HST and Diverse Marine, alongside wind farm owners and the wider offshore supply chain.

The catamaran’s hybrid propulsion system incorporates an electric motor with a diesel engine, which drives a high-performance changeable pitch propeller (CPP) system.