Windcat Workboats has the largest global fleet of offshore utility vessels, providing specialist crew transfer in the offshore oil and gas industry. With the variety of the vessels in our fleet, we can offer our clients the most suitable vessels with an optimum use for their project.
Founded in 2002, our vessels have a proven operational track record in this field having worked on projects all around north-west Europe.
In 2012, Windcat Workboats had:
- 120 offshore staff on the vessels
- 25 onshore staff
- 31 vessels operational
- Several vessels under construction, with further new designs for the coming years
Crew transfer vessels
Our in-house training by highly experienced captains results in highly skilled crew which, over the years, have completed over 950,000 safe transfers, many in challenging sea conditions.
Always thinking towards the future, Windcat Workboats continues to develop, build and operate crew transfer vessels to fit the requirements of the industry.
Our experience includes working with the Beatrice Oil Field, 20 miles off the north-east coast of Scotland.
An executive from Fluor, a leading engineering construction company, said of Windcat Workboats: "Their ethos and willingness to be flexible and work with the client to achieve operations is an attribute I wish most boat operators had."
Seacor Marine shareholder
Since December 2011, Seacor Marine has been shareholder of Windcat Workboats. Seacor Marine operates a diversified fleet of modern and efficient vessels, servicing the global offshore oil and gas exploration, development, and production industry worldwide.
Seacor Marine provides its customers with a comprehensive suite of services, including crew transportation, platform supply, offshore accommodation, maintenance support, standby safety services, and anchor handling and mooring capabilities in both shallow and deepwater environments.
Offshore service vessels
As our company is not only operating, but also designing and building offshore service vessels, we can adapt the vessel to the need of the client and specific purpose on different projects.
Our vessels have been purpose-built to transfer offshore personnel between shore, offshore wind turbines, construction vessels and other offshore assets. They are spacious, comfortable and with the highest safety specifications.
We set ourselves apart by delivering a high-quality service aimed at maximising availability and accessibility for our clients, so that they can work efficiently.
The vessels’ crews are highly experienced and trained to our in-house training programme which profits from the company’s experience throughout the years.
You can rely on us to maintain the vessels to the highest standard. Our engineers are readily available and we have a large stock of spare parts in several locations for any immediate repairs.
Besides the transfer of technicians and offshore personnel, the vessels can be used as:
- Emergency response vessel
- Standby vessel
- Survey vessel
- Dive support vessel
- Ornithological studies
Offshore utility vessel fleet
The Windcat Workboats fleet consists of 30 vessels of different types.
- The MK1 were the first vessels, built in 2006 and 2007, with a length of 15m. These vessels are equipped with Volvo D12 engines driving water jets or fixed pitch propellers
- The MK2 vessels were built in 2007 and 2008, 16m in length and equipped with Volvo D16 engines driving fixed pitch propellers
- The MK3s are 18m in length built from 2008 onwards. These vessels feature an enlarged wheelhouse giving a larger lounge area for passengers. The vessels are equipped with Volvo D16 engines or MTU2000 V8 engines and different propulsion systems; either fixed or variable pitch propellers or water jets
- The MK3 Raised Wheelhouse series is a new development continuing on the MK3 platform creating large forward deck space to carry more goods
- The new MK4 series carrying 45 passengers and the 12-passenger version the MK4.2 series, are designed for operation further offshore and in harsher conditions
Each system has its own advantage which enables us to offer you the most suitable vessel for your project.
All vessels in the MK1, MK2 and MK3 series are built and equipped according to the MCA SCV Workboat code. This offers a high safety standard to accommodate 12 passengers safely at sea, up to 60 nautical miles offshore.
The lounge area is fitted with comfortable reclining seats, computer points and a full entertainment set, as well as sanitary facilities and a galley for cooking, coffee and tea.
The forward or aft deck space also allows larger parts and equipment to be carried besides the technicians’ tool bags.
We not only provide vessels, we provide a service.
Safe personnel transfer
We are committed to the highest possible standard of operational safety.
Among other safety equipment, the vessels carry life rafts, a rescue net and a sling for emergency situations. The vessels are equipped with high-spec navigation and radio equipment.
Our safety management system has been written in accordance with the ISM standard.
We have expanded our QHSE department, based in the UK, to maintain our high standard and satisfy the standards required by our clients such as SSE, Eon, GE, Vestas, Siemens and RePower.
Our safety compliance is regularly checked by our own internal system of auditing, customer audits and independent companies. The quality management system is ISO 9001 certified.