Member Article

Ainscough Crane Hire helps keep turbines turning with second Manor Marine built Mainprize Offshore vessel

Ainscough Crane Hire has helped smoothly launch the second of two offshore wind farm service vessels on behalf of Manor Marine, which specialises in ship building and marine engineering.

The MO9 boat, a five-tonne heavier carbon copy of the first ship launched (MO8) was built for offshore services provider Mainprize Offshore. It completes the project that began with the first launch in late 2022.

As with the first vessel, the second boat has a cargo capacity of 40 tonnes, crew space for 24 passengers, 175m2 of deck space and a maximum speed of 27 knots.

The Supa Swath catamaran vessel required two of the largest cranes in Ainscough’s Heavy Crane’s fleet. Ainscough deployed the use of the 650t and 750t cranes over the course of the three-day project.

Similarly to the first vessel, MO9 was constructed on-site in Portland, Devon – just a short distance away from the launch site.

With consideration to the environment and lessening carbon footprint, the 650t crane was deployed due to its proximity to the site. After initially planning for a 500t crane, the 650t was decided upon to reduce mileage.

In addition, both cranes operated on Hydrogenated Vegetable Oil (HVO), continuing Ainscough’s commitment to green solutions and net-zero targets.

MO9 is the second of three vessels ordered by Mainprize from Manor Marine, and Ainscough remain in touch regarding the third and final lift.

Graeme Harrison, Heavy Cranes technical manager at Ainscough, said: “To help contribute to the healthy upkeep of this country’s green energy offering is something Ainscough is excited to be a part of.

“We’ve thoroughly enjoyed our contribution to the delivery of these two vessels. Our Heavy Cranes team has once again utilised extensive planning to secure execution of the operation in a safe and timely manner.

“Helping secure an environmentally sustainable future is an aim the Ainscough team is fully aligned with. It was a pleasure to be involved in this project and we’re proud to have developed a long-standing professional relationship with the team at Manor Marine.”

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by John Robson .