Fisheries Patrol Vessel RefitBerthon has refurbished a Fisheries Patrol Vessel from the world’s remotest inhabited island, Tristan da Cunha, for the UK government’s Blue Belt Programme.

Tristan da Cunha

Tristan da Cunha is the most remote inhabited archipelago in the world, lying approximately 1,511 miles from South Africa and 2,166 miles from the Falkland Islands. Berthon has a history with the volcanic island of Tristan da Cunha in the South Atlantic that goes back to 1961 when the eruption of Queen Mary’s Peak forced the evacuation of the entire population of 264 people. They were re-homed near Lymington at former Calshot RAF Station, and many worked at the Berthon shipyard during their time in England. The islanders returned home in 1963 and built a new harbour, which they called Calshot after their temporary Hampshire home. To this day, fi shing remains the island’s main trade along with the sale of postage stamps to collectors.

Blue Belt Programme

The Wave Dancer refurbishment project is funded by the UK government through the Blue Belt Programme. The key objective of Blue Belt is to enhance marine protection for the UK Overseas Territories. The Centre for Environment, Fisheries and Aquaculture Science (CEFAS) is a Blue Belt Delivery Partner, along with the MMO. CEFAS is the government’s marine and freshwater science experts. They keep our seas, oceans and rivers healthy and productive and our seafood safe and sustainable by providing data and advice to the UK government and our overseas partners.

The Refi t

• Supply & fi t twin Cummins QSB6.7 355hp at 2800rpm engines • Supply & fi t twin Konrad Marine Stern Drives • Clean fuel tanks• Fit 30 minute fi re-rated insulation in engine room• Supply & fi t 4 x Rolls AGM batteries • Make and fi t new battery boxes• Make and fi t new battery cables • Supply & fi t water tight glands to comply with MCA regulations• Hull repairs• Polish gelcoat• Supply & fi t three new stainless steel LED fl ood lights• Supply & fi t V-Tronics 2.4 metre fi breglass aerials• Supply & fi t 2.6 metre HF antenna, modifi ed to be lowered• Supply & fi t VIC-M802 marine SSB HF radio• Supply & fi t IC-M73 EURO VHF hand held radios and chargers• Supply & fi t hand-held Iridium 9555 satellite phone• New varnish• Teamak non-slip deck paint• Supply & fi t 50kg SWL single armed davit • Supply & fi t geared winch for manual operation with wire and a safety hook weighted to 50kg. • Supply & fi t ten-man SOLAS B life-raft with hydrostatic release and custom cradle• Supply & fi t 4m infl atable boat

Fisheries Patrol Vessel RefitWave Dancer – Pacifi c 38

Wave Dancer is a 1996 Pacifi c 38 cabin RIB, and is owned and operated by the Tristan da Cunha government. With a range of 200 miles, she is used for safety support for inshore fi shing vessels, ship to shore operations, including personnel transfers from visiting ships, fi shing and customs inspections, inshore science surveys, and inter-island trips to conduct patrols and support scientifi c research. During poor weather conditions and for operations further off shore, she acts as the search and rescue craft, being the only capable vessel.

Fisheries Patrol Vessel Refit

Spares, Training and Acceptance

• Sea trials programme included inclining experiments which comply with MCA category 1 requirements. • Because Tristan da Cunha is so remote, Berthon has provided an extensive list of spares and repair kits. • Berthon also provided crew training for visiting staff from Tristan da Cunha. This includes technical training for Cummins engine maintenance, Konrad drive training, and training on all electronic equipment, gelcoat & laminate repairs, and infl atable tube repairs. • Acceptance trials with CEFAS, then shipping back to Tristan da Cunha.

Life saving equipment:

• EPIRP with hydrostatic release• Two solar life buoy lights• SOLAS lifejackets• Buoyant lifeline• SOLAS approved parachute fl ares• SOLAS hand held fl ares. • SOLAS approved smoke fl oats• TPA (thermal protective aids)• Off shore fi rst aid kit. • Firefi ghter equipment with 18m of hose• Water pumps• Fire extinguishers• Fire alarm protection and detection systems