ON A MISSION TO CRACK OPERATION ZERO OFFSHORE

Tidal Transit Ltd operates from the North Norfolk coast and provides specialist safe and speedy transport and crew transfer services to the offshore wind energy sector in the North Sea and across Europe.

Their fleet of custom-built, high specification, work boats offer unparalleled stability and are crewed by fully qualified personnel with a raft of local knowledge and maritime experience. Here we chat to Adam Wright, Co-Founder, Director and third generation fisherman about the business and specific mission to create a zero emission fleet of vessels ahead of the industry.

How Did You Get Started?

Tidal Transit was established in Jan 2011 but was the incorporation of my original business, Norfolk Fishing Trips. I started my career at sea on various different fishing boats and am a fourth generation fisherman. After a stint onshore as a chef at several of the Norfolk Coast pubs I decided to buy a day charter fishing boat to take tourists out. I did this from 2006 to 2011 from Brancaster Staithe in the summer and Lowestoft in the winter. In early 2011 I set up Tidal Transit with Leo Hambro to provide crew boats for the offshore wind sector. Since then we have grown the business to six boats in the UK and 3 in France with our local partner there, Louis Dreyfus Armateurs.

What Does Your Business Do?

Tidal Transit owns and operates crew transfer vessels to service the offshore wind sector. We work primarily for the turbine owner or OEM to take their technicians out to maintain the turbines. Our transit services are suitable during all phases of the project including planning, survey, construction and cable-laying, testing, commissioning and maintenance.

Our fleet includes category 1 vessels that allow us to work at up to 150 miles from a safe haven and can stay at sea for more than 24 hours. With bunks, showers, toilets and fully-equipped commercial grade kitchen we provide wholesome hot and cold meals for your staff where required.

Our experienced, fully-committed and qualified crew members are based locally and are employed directly by us so there are no ‘hidden’ travel or accommodation costs.

The workboats are state-of-the-art, specified and designed specifically to serve the arduous demands of the offshore wind energy industry. We now have about 40 staff members at the moment but we have big plans for expansion.

Our customers are the multi-national utility companies such as Ørsted, RWE, Equinor or the turbine manufacturers Siemens Gamesa or Vestas.

How has the business changed in recent years?

10 years ago it was just about getting people to sea in anything that floated as the market was very immature. Now all the boats are custom built for accessing wind turbines. The objective from now is about reducing the carbon cost of the offshore wind sector, much of which comes from the propulsion of boats to service the sector, hence our push to use electric vessels charged directly from the turbines.

It has been tough recently for many reason but the future is looking better. I just hope that there are enough mariners for all the new boats that are being developed for offshore wind.  There is already a lack of mariners which is going to likely get worse before it gets better.

Our aim is to provide the best vessel with the best crew at no greater cost than the competition. To reduce and eliminate the use of fossil fuels in the servicing of offshore wind our vision is clear.

What gets you out of bed in the morning?

Mostly my 5 children… but other than that, we have a fleet of boats that are my other children than need looking after. No rest for the wicked!  I would have to say Isambard Kingdom Brunel, who I think seems to have been the inventor of all key elements of modern industry inspires me to keep pushing the boundaries and learning and adapting along the way. On reflection, I am not sure I would have done it differently but I would have loved to have started sooner!

What has been your proudest moment?

The launch and delivery of every boat I have ever been involved with has been an incredible moment. I am not sure my girls would be very happy if I was to say it was about the boats though and not about them!

What are your current plans?

We are on a mission to use the power that our clients make to reduce the carbon impact of offshore wind. It is not easy but is doable with the right partners. As the desire to achieve zero emission vessels continues to gather pace across the marine industry, advances in technology have enabled us to bring forward our specifications for a Zero Emissions Capable – Real Hybrid crew transfer vessel (CTV) for use by global offshore wind farm developers and operators. We also were delighted to perform another ‘industry first’, a couple of years ago by showing that many CTVs serving offshore wind farms can run on 100% bio diesel (HVO100) rather than marine diesel (MGO). Previously, 30% HVO has been successfully trialled by others, but the move to full 100% HVO reduces CO2 emissions by over 90%, as well as reducing both the NOx and SOx in comparison to marine diesel.

This is another step in our company’s journey towards 100% decarbonisation of the fleet, and it confirms the company’s intent in being a signatory of the Department of Transport’s (DFT) Operation Zero. Launched by the Department for Transport at COP26, Operation Zero is an industry coalition working together to accelerate the decarbonisation of the operations and maintenance vessels in the North Sea offshore wind sector. We hope to have a significant zero emissions fleet by 2030.

How did you begin working with Witham Group?

Ever since I got in to boats, we have used Witham. In fact I am sure that Geoff , Nigel’s father even supplied my father’s boat. We use Engine oil, hydraulic oil, coolant, paint and grease – everything! We use Witham because of their reliability, stock holding and price.

We continue to use Witham because they consistently deliver reliably from stock at good prices and we have a good working relationship with the team. Witham were able to exceed the required specifications from our engine provider at no greater cost.