VESSEL REVIEW | Jif Mairi – Jifmar puts new fish farm support craft to work off Scotland

Netherlands-based Neptune Marine has delivered a new multi-purpose workboat to the Scottish subsidiary of French vessel operator Jifmar Offshore Services.

The Bureau Veritas-classed Jif Mairi has a length of 23.8 metres, a beam of 9.04 metres, and a draught of approximately two metres. Managed by Jifmar's Scottish subsidiary North West Marine, the newbuild will perform a range of duties that include anchor handling, dredging support, surveys, ROV support, resupply, research support, general towing, personnel and cargo transport, and even wreck removal.

Jif Mairi utilises a standard Neptune Marine workboat design that was originally developed for use in transporting fuel, water, and cargo in ISO containers. The vessel has been specially optimised to be more suited to North West Marine's fish farm support activities. Custom features thus include wooden removable bow doors, a ladder on the starboard side to ensure easy access for divers, D fendering on the front and aft starboard side, and flush plastic fendering on the starboard midships area. The incorporation of fendering was a precautionary measure meant to minimise damage to fishing nets.

Power is provided by two Caterpillar C18 main engines, each capable of producing 447 kW at 1,800 rpm. The engines drive two 1,350mm propellers through Twin Disc gearboxes, and this configuration has proven capable of delivering a bollard pull of 14.7 tonnes and a speed of approximately 10 knots.

For electrical power, the vessel is equipped with Caterpillar C4.4 and C7.1 generator sets. These supply power to electronics that include a radar, depth sounder and GPS from Furuno, Sailor VHF radios, and Jotron SART. The vessel's GMDSS is compliant to Area A1 requirements.

Hydraulic power onboard is provided by two 55kW electric motors, each driven by a dedicated generator set. A Heila HLRM 140-4S deck crane is fitted on the starboard bow while an HLRM 25-4S crane is fitted on the aft starboard side. The placement of the cranes on only one side was deliberate to enable the vessel to work more effectively when alongside fish cages.

A 50-tonne anchor handling and towing winch and a 10-tonne tugger winch have also been installed. In order to accommodate all the equipment necessary for the maintenance of the cages, the central winch has also been moved behind the wheelhouse, offering a large free deck area of 150 square metres.

The below-deck accommodation space features three cabins, a bathroom, and a separate toilet. A large stores area has also been fitted in this area.

The vessel is certified for a maximum of six crew members onboard. The accommodation spaces on the main deck level include a mess and a change room that also provides access to the engine room.

The wheelhouse meanwhile has a small seating area and a working desk as well as space for survey equipment. There are also large windows to provide a full 360 degrees of visibility for the bridge crew.

Jif Mairi arrived in Scotland in May of this year and has since commenced operating under a long-term contract.

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