Colchester-based CWind has won a six-month contract to provide crew transfer services to the Greater Gabbard Offshore wind farm.

A 19-metre catamaran, one of more than 20 crew transfer vessels in the fleet operated by CWind, will assist with operations and maintenance activities at the installation, off Clacton-on-Sea, which became operational in August 2013.

Under the contract, Greater Gabbard may decide to extend the charter of the vessel by an additional three months.

Peter Jorgensen, managing director of CWind, said: “This new contract with Greater Gabbard Offshore wind farm further demonstrates our position as a leading provider in offshore wind transfer services.

“Our crew transfer services set the standard for safety, speed of deployment, cost effectiveness in both fuel costs and day rates. We are extremely pleased and proud to be supporting the Greater Gabbard Offshore Wind Farm.”

CWind is an integrated service provider that supports the wind energy industry by providing on-demand services as well as integrated packages.

It recently took delivery of the first new craft to be built by sister company CTruk at its new River Colne production facility in Colchester.

The 22-metre vessel, the CWind Artimus, was officially named at the Seawork show in Southampton and is the first of two additional boats being built by CTruk for CWind, augmenting the fleet of more than 20 already in service with the operator.

CTruk, originally based in Brightlingsea, is now concentrating much of its production on the Colchester facility where it plans to develop an Advanced Composite Technology Centre, supported by a grant under the Government’s Regional Growth Fund, to build larger vessels and apply its expertise in new markets.