Sentinel Marine’s New Rescue Vessel Christened
Sentinel Marine’s latest new-build emergency response and rescue vessel (ERRV) has been deployed to service in the North Sea after being christened at Aberdeen Harbor. The new vessel, Mariner Sentinel, is operating on behalf of Statoil at its Mariner field to the east of Shetland – the sixth of nine vessels to join the firm’s fleet since 2015.
Statoil’s Aberdeen-based offshore logistics and services supervisor, Line Kaldestad, officially named Mariner Sentinel in her role as the ship’s godmother. The blessing was carried out by the Howard Drysdale, superintendent of Aberdeen Seafarers Centre and port chaplain.
The 65-meter ship is one of the largest to be constructed for Aberdeen-headquartered Sentinel Marine, and is part of a new breed of multi-role vessels to be introduced by the firm. In addition to the vessels’ main role of protecting offshore workers, the ships can perform other tasks such as oil recovery, rescue towing and dynamic positioning.
The vessels’ ability to carry out other duties – along with the fact that they are equipped with the latest technology – means they are extremely efficient to operate, Sentinel Marine said. The three remaining vessels under construction are scheduled for delivery within the next year and these will also undertake operations in the North Sea.
Rory Deans, chief executive of Sentinel Marine, said the firm is proud to add Mariner Sentinel to its fleet of ERRVs, which is the youngest operating in the sector.
He added, “The North Sea can be a harsh and hostile environment and we are continually looking at how we construct our fleet to ensure the safety of offshore personnel and the marine environment comes first.
“In addition to being custom-built to the highest technical standards, the multi-role nature of our vessels ensure that operating costs are kept low without compromising on capabilities.
“The naming ceremony in Aberdeen was a milestone occasion for Sentinel Marine, and we were delighted to be able to share it with so many people who have been a part of the Mariner Sentinel story.”
The charter for Mariner Sentinel was brokered by Braemar ACM Shipbrokers. In addition to this new vessel, Statoil also has one of the firm’s other ships, Portland Sentinel, operating in the Mariner field.