Damen signs with Ports of Jersey for Shoalbuster 2711

Damen Shipyards Group has signed a contract for a Shoalbuster 2711 – the second vessel of its kind ever to be built. The new vessel will be the second Damen vessel to be operated by the Ports of Jersey, which has operated a Damen Shoalbuster 2709, named Duke of Normandy (pictured above), for the past fifteen years.

“With an expanding work scope we needed a vessel with increased capability,” says Donford Nicholas, operations and commercial manager. “We were looking for something that could support a wide range of tasks, including engineering and survey projects. We have a keen focus on sustainability so it is our goal to support the forthcoming offshore wind projects that will take place in UK and EU waters nearby. We see this vessel as added value, not only for the Ports of Jersey, but for the community as a whole, offering a greater potential of commercial opportunities and, ultimately, wider employment prospects.”

Ports of Jersey selected the Damen Shoalbuster 2711 after visiting the first of its kind on display at the Seawork exhibition in Southampton. The Shoalbuster 2711 is an evolved version of the 2709. An additional two metres of beam provide extra stability, work space, storage and space for a larger crane. It is MCA compliant, offers 40 tonnes bollard pull and boasts excellent crew facilities, says Damen.

As with all standard Damen vessels, there is room for the customer to select their own options to suit their individual requirements.

“We’ve opted to have the vessel fitted with the latest Heila crane,” says Donford. “We’ve got a good relationship with Heila. They provided the crane to the Duke of Normandy and everyone is familiar – and happy – with it.”

The Duke of Normandy played an important role in Damen’s success in securing the contract for the new vessel.

“We’ve been very happy with the performance of the Duke of Normandy. She’s proven her quality over 15 years. The price for the new vessel was also competitive. Besides this, we enjoy a good relationship with Damen.”

This was demonstrated just last year when Damen Shipyards Gorinchem won the tender to conduct the Duke of Normandy’s 15-year drydock and renewal survey. No sooner had the vessel docked than the coronavirus outbreak occurred. All the crew had to leave the Netherlands and return to Jersey.

“From then onwards we had to manage the project remotely. Damen were very supportive. We had regular digital contact throughout the project and everything was done well and on-time. Like Damen, we’ve taken the coronavirus very seriously. We’ve had a track and trace system in place since July last year – something we’ve been happy to share with our colleagues at other ports and airports – and we require a negative test result for anyone coming aboard.”

The Shoalbuster will be outfitted in the Netherlands by Damen Shipyards Hardinxveld and will be delivered to Ports of Jersey in Q4 this year.

Prior to Covid-19, Duke of Normandy was reported by the Jersey Evening Post as making around £750,00 per annum for Ports of Jersey since it became a commercial entity. The vessel has been rented out and used by organisations and companies to carry out jobs all over north-west Europe including helping with underwater cable-laying projects in the Netherlands and erecting wind turbines off the coast of the UK.