Diverse Marine and Turner Iceni complete another upcycling refit

Diverse Marine and Turner Iceni have announced the completion of their fourth upcycling refit, Iceni Defiant, serving as an example of a successful refitting of an older craft with modern, environmentally-friendly solutions.

The 17m aluminium catamaran was first built in 2012 and has worked continuously through its life, but has been challenged over the last few years with a preference towards larger more versatile craft.

The solution was an upcycling refit to extend the working life of the vessel, increasing the net book value to a level that allows Turner Iceni to offer higher day rate values with a sensible expectation of charter days per annum.

Highlights and features of the refit include lengthening of hull and deck by 3.6m, reduction of vessel weight, and the doubling of fuel capacity. The vessel has been re-powered to Volvo Penta IPS900 and there has been a 50 per cent reduction in fuel consumption.

“This is the fourth such upcycling refit that we have carried out over the last couple of years and we are very proud to be associated with the life extension of these older assets, installing modern systems and more fuel efficient propulsion packages,” says Ben Colman, director of Diverse Marine. “These refits compliment and work side by side with our new build programme. As we move toward ‘current generation’ CTV’s having 10 year refits we are actively engaged with operators as to what can be done to modernise these vessels and meet future zero emission requirements.”

The vessel left the yard after the 18-week refit and headed straight to charter on an East Coast project.

Richard Thurlow, director of Turner Iceni adds: “Following the success of the MCS Maestro to Iceni Warrior, MPI Don Quixote to Iceni Revenge upcycling and life extension refits carried out early in 2019, and the modification and upcycling of Iceni Courage in 2020, we had no hesitation in going through the same process with Iceni Defiant.

“Taking the learnings from these earlier refits and upcycling projects and applying these to Iceni Defiant has truly given her a new lease of life – whilst also making the best use of valuable assets and resources. We really could not be happier.”