HULL ship operator Rix Sea Shuttle has netted a contract at one of Europe's largest offshore wind farms.
It was awarded the work by Reef Subsea to support two cable installation vessels at the RWE Innogy Gwynt y Môr development.
Gwynt y Môr is one of the largest offshore wind farms being built in Europe and will consist of 160 turbines with a capacity of 576 megawatts – enough energy to power about 400,000 homes.
The site is off the North Wales coast and is forecast to be finished by the end of this year.
James Doyle, managing director of Rix Sea Shuttle, said: "We are delighted to win a contract on what is a hugely important project for the renewable energy industry.
"It will be a real source of pride to be able to say we had a small hand in building it."
The contract represents a step up in the company's renewables work as it seeks to corner the crew transfer vessel market.
Reef Subsea has employed two Rix Sea Shuttle crew support boats – the Panther and the Tiger – to aid cable installation vessels Polar Prince and Polar King.
Mr Doyle said: "The two vessels we have supplied will be used to take engineers and technicians to and from individual wind turbines to support both first end and second end pull-in operations.
"One will operate 24/7, while the other will provide daytime support.
"Then they will reverse roles to ensure the crews are properly rested."
Mr Doyle said one of the attractions of Rix Sea Shuttle was a significant investment in spare parts, which meant the company could deal very quickly with breakdowns.
Mr Doyle said: "We have spare engines and propellers in stock, which means if anything should go wrong, we can still keep to the project timeline. That gives the client considerable peace of mind."
Rix Sea Shuttle is part of Hull family firm JR Rix and Sons.
It has been running cargo ships, tankers and barges for more than a century.
Anthony Michelin, Reef Subsea project director, said: "Although a new company to the offshore renewables sector, we were particularly impressed by the Rix pedigree in terms of its safety culture, its people, its equipment and, above all, its determination to add value to the project.
"That, combined with professionalism and a real enthusiasm for the job, means Rix is adding significant value to what is a challenging, but very rewarding, build."
