Designed specifically for MPI Workboats Ltd the South Catamaran 17m LS is a radical development over existing models to cover a multitude of roles demanded by wind farm site owner and operators. The vessels will be an overall length of 17.5 metres, 6.4 metre beam and draft of 1 metre. Whilst being an ideal solution for the wind farm support sector generally, the vessels have been specifically designed to offer the maximum length and beam possible whilst still being able to enter the Fish Dock at the Port of Grimsby at any stage of the tide.

Realisation of MPI's new building programme will increase their workboat fleet from four vessels to six and will assist in meeting the ever increasing demand in the rapidly developing offshore wind industry.

The new build programme will be carried out by Isle of Wight manufacturer, South Boats Special Projects Ltd at their Cowes facility. Since the commencement of construction of the first vessel in the fleet, 'MPI Sancho Panza' in 2007, MPI have worked closely with South Boats Special Projects to refine the design of their vessels and incorporate innovative solutions to meet the requirements of MPI's customers.

MPI Workboats realised at an early stage that their customers' requirements for a workboat differed greatly between the construction phase and the operational phase of a wind farm. A great deal of hard work has gone into optimising the design, performance and operation of the vessels to establish a first rate solution which satisfies both separate and distinct requirements.

Leslie Robertson, Operations Manager for MPI Workboats said "We are delighted to announce our latest fleet extension programme and look upon this development of the business as just the beginning. Our vessels and crew are always in high demand and I feel confident that we are rapidly moving towards the position required to embrace the challenges of the fast moving wind industry."

In naming their fleet of wind farm support vessels, MPI have drawn upon the work of classic literature. Each vessel carries the name of a character from the novel 'Don Quixote' written by Spanish author Miguel de Cervantes in the 17th Century. MPI have drawn a creative parallel between the offshore wind industry and the iconic scene in the book, where the main character, Spanish nobleman, Don Quixote initiates an attack on windmills which he imagines to be ferocious giants.