North Sea ERRV specialist brings in 10th newbuild vessel

UK-based offshore vessel owner Sentinel Marine has taken delivery of the tenth newbuild vessel in its fleet, which is expected to include 12 new emergency response and rescue vessels (ERRVs) by year-end, spurring further headcount increase.

Sentinel Marine reported on Friday that the Cromarty Sentinel, which flies the British flag, had joined its fleet operating in the North Sea. The firm confirms that the 60-metre, 2030-tonne vessel – built in Fujian in South-East China – is making its maiden voyage to the North East via Singapore and is expected to arrive in Aberdeen in early March.

According to the offshore vessel owner, Cromarty Sentinel is the tenth newbuild in a multi-million investment in 12 new ERRVs with the remaining two newbuilds expected to be delivered by the end of 2022. The company says that 24 new jobs have been created by the firm’s investment, bringing the headcount at the Aberdeen-based company to 300.

It is worth noting that the delivery of the ninth vessel back in September 2020 marked the end of phase two of Sentinel Marine’s investment programme, while phase 3 is expected to bring further three new build vessels to the fleet.

The latest addition to Sentinel Marine’s fleet has enhanced efficiency features including dynamic positioning upgraded to DP2, allowing it to maintain position even in the event of component failure and giving an additional level of safety, based on the firm’s statement. The vessel’s other enhancements and safety features include firefighting to Class 1 standard, oil recovery, dry bulk, brine and liquid mud capacity.

Rory Deans, Sentinel Marine chief executive officer, remarked: “Since we started to build the Sentinel fleet of vessels, efficiency and green credentials have always been at the forefront of our minds. We build vessels which are operationally efficient, but which also deliver positive environmental benefits. The fuel efficiency of the whole Sentinel Fleet supports our clients’ moves towards reducing their environmental impacts towards the net-zero economy.”

In addition, Cromarty Sentinel – just like all of the newbuilds in the Sentinel fleet – has a green passport that lists all the materials used in its construction, which are potentially hazardous to human health or the environment. The company claims that when the ship is decommissioned at the end of its life, its passport is also sent to the recycling yard.

The latest ERRV vessel has increased accommodation on board for up to 34 crew with SPS coding for additional safety and all crew cabins have ensuite facilities, internet connections and satellite TV.

Moreover, the Sentinel fleet has been designed to perform a wide range of tasks including collision avoidance; oil spill recovery; patrolling waters for fisheries agencies; fast response; in-field transfers; search and rescue; border control and disruption of criminal activities such as people trafficking, according to Sentinel Marine.

“The vessels are energy efficient and operationally efficient because of the range of functionality, and they offer a safe and comfortable environment for our seafarers,” concluded Deans.

The company also adds that most of the work of Sentinel’s vessels takes place in the North Sea oil fields and a package of contract awards and extensions, worth a total of £36 million ($46 million), was secured in March 2020. However, the firm is also seeing increased opportunities beyond these traditional ERRV roles.