Bibby Charters Offshore Support Vessel

Bibby Offshore Limited has entered into a long- term agreement to charter a new building 94 metre DSV/Construction Support vessel, built in Norway’s Aker Langsten Shipyard. The state of the art vessel, to be named Bibby Sapphire, is owned by Volstad Maritime AS. She will be available to the North Sea construction market from early August 2005, and her future deployment is currently being discussed with interested parties.

Following the addition of a full 15 man Saturation Diving system, the vessel will also be available for diving work from the start of 2006. The DSV will be the first vessel of its kind to enter the North Sea region for some years and shows the commitment of this dynamic new player demonstrates Bibby Offshore’s commitment to this market.

The vessel has been specifically chosen by Bibby Offshore to best serve the requirements of its clients. It is fitted with a 150 tonne heave compensated crane, has accommodation for 197 personnel onboard and has extensive working deck available for project equipment. The dive spread, which will be installed during the winter of 2005, will initially be a twin bell 15 man system, extendable to 18 man with hyperbaric lifeboat modifications, capable of working at water depths of 300 MSW. The vessel is fitted with a Class II dynamic positioning system and is F1-F1 2 rated, with a transit speed of 15 knots.

Bibby Offshore Managing Director, Howard Woodcock comments, “This high specification new build, which has the capability and capacity to meet the most challenging conditions in the North Sea and deep water locations globally, represents the latest step in the strategic development of Bibby Offshore in the Subsea Construction Market. We look forward to bringing this vessel into service to meet our clients’ demanding requirements for safe, reliable and efficient project delivery. This investment underlines the commitment of Bibby Offshore to the market and to its clients”