BAE Systems selects Meercat Boats for the refit of its Dive Support Vessel

BAE Systems has selected Meercat Boats for the refit of its specialist dive support vessel, Tedworth, which operates out of Portsmouth Naval Base.

Meercat, based at Hythe Marine Park near Southampton, delivered the Meercat MRV15 bespoke dive multi-role vessel to BAE Systems Ltd in 2015.

The refit will include the Meercat’s out of water five-year survey in accordance with the MCA’s MGM 280 Workboat Code, as well as hull cleaning and painting preparation, removal of props and shafts, and modification to deck equipment.

Tedworth, operated by BAE Systems, is used for its specialist diving operations at Portsmouth Naval Base for underwater maintenance, repairs and inspections on the Royal Navy’s vessels, installations and jetties.

Measuring 15m by 5.8m, Meercat is multi-role vessel (MRV) with a draft of about 0.8m, a displacement of 42 tonnes and a deck cargo capacity of 16 tonnes.

Tedworth has twin Doosan L136Ti engines with a 33Kva generator and a three-phase compressor, achieving 460hp in total with a free running speed of 9.5 knots. Tedworth’s AMCO-VEBA crane is capable of lifting 790kg at 14.1 metres, plus she has a full hydraulic hand tool capability provided by a separate JCB hydraulic engine.

The vessel also has full digital communications capabilities with video compatibility, and a fully integrated HP Surface Supplied high pressure Divex diving system, enabling her to support three divers in the water simultaneously.

Meercat Boats’ recent projects include the refit and survey of the 18m steel Meercat, Toplift, which has subsequently been sold to her new customer in France. New build Meercat multi-role vessels include Guernsey Harbours’ new 15 metre steel Meercat MRV15, Sarnia, which commenced operations in October.