A Devon marine company has expanded its fleet with the addition of a specialist workboat that it says will help it take on larger and more complex projects across the UK and overseas.
Marine Plant Hire (MPH), based in Dartmouth, has invested in a Damen 2611 Multicat workboat, one of only a small number available to charter in the UK. The vessel has been added to support growing demand as the business and its parent company, Ancora Group, continue to expand.
The Damen 2611 is designed to support a wide range of marine civil engineering work. Its flat working deck, shallow draft, cranes and heavy-duty winches make it suitable for towing, dredging, diving and surveying operations.
The multimillion-pound investment joins Marine Plant Hire’s existing fleet of more than 35 workboats, barges and specialist plant. Before being acquired by the company, the vessel operated in Mozambique, Iraq and Uruguay.
Managing director Rich Eggleton said: “The 2611 Multicat provides us with opportunity to service a wider variety of projects and clients.
“Chosen for its pedigree, this go-anywhere, do-anything vessel is exactly the sort of asset our clients may need on larger, more complex contracts.
“We are confident she will be in high demand – in the UK, but also in Europe and beyond.”
The vessel will be named in recognition of Tom Scruby, who has been a long-term adviser to several Ancora Group companies.
Rich added: “Naming this vessel after Tom is incredibly fitting.
“He has given decades of knowledge, leadership and friendship to MPH and our sister companies, and we wanted to mark that in a lasting way.
“We hope his name continues to inspire everyone who relies on this remarkable vessel.”
Marine Plant Hire is part of Ancora Group, which provides marine infrastructure services including design engineering, construction, installation and long-term maintenance across coastal, inland water and marine environments.
More information is available at www.ancoramarine.com.
