Ainscough helps launch wind farm service vessel

Ship building and marine engineering specialist Manor Marine commissioned UK company Ainscough Crane Hire to assist on the launch of the MO8 wind farm service vessel in Dorset, UK. 

The vessel, which was built for offshore services provider Mainprize Offshore, has a cargo capacity of 40 tonnes, seating for 24 passengers, 175m2 of deck space, and a maximum speed of 27 knots. 

The 26-metre Supa Swath catamaran, also referred to as MO8, required two cranes from Ainscough's heavy crane fleet, with 500 and 750 tonne capacities, along with a team of 14 over the course of three days.

Making sure there was no structural impact to the vessel during its delivery into the water, the Ainscough team transported the MO8 while inside a container, meaning there was no direct contact between the crane and the newly constructed vessel. 

Constructed on-site in Portland, Dorset, the MO8 was built close to the water it would be launched into, allowing for an efficient and controlled transfer from land to sea. 

Ainscough Crane Hire was approached to assist on the lifting by UK-based Manor Marine. Following an in-person meeting and a site survey, Ainscough delivered a launch plan and won the job based on the team's engagement throughout the process. 

Earlier this year, Mainprize ordered another vessel of the same kind from Manor Marine, named MO9, which is due for delivery in early 2023. 

Graeme Harrison, heavy cranes technical manager at Ainscough, said: “Supporting on the launch of the MO8 required a high level of planning and organisation from our heavy cranes team. After carefully considering the delivery, the job went ahead smoothly and efficiently - even despite poor weather conditions! 

“With the launch of the MO9 taking place in 2023, we hope this is the start of a long-standing professional relationship between Ainscough and Manor Marine, and we look forward to supporting on future lifts.”

The MO8 is the first of three vessels being launched by Manor Marine.