Sentinel Marine arrived on the Offshore Shipping scene in 2011 when an office was established in Singapore and new Khiam Chuan Marine designed 59.25m long/62t bollard pull Anchor Handling Tug Supply vessels (AHTS) were speculatively ordered on 25th July 2011 from Nam Cheong, and built at the Fujian South East Shipyard, with the aim of building up and operating a fleet in Asia. The first three were to be named Able Sentinel, Daring Sentinel and Epic Sentinel. However, whilst the AHTS newbuilds were progressing, some interested parties approached Sentinel Marine with an immediate need for such ships so the first three on order were sold prior to delivery. Hull SK65 was the first to be sold in October 2012 with SK67 disposed of in November that year. The fitting of twin bow thrusters was one of the main attractions of these 75m vessels. The company ordered replacement tonnage but has since built and resold prior to delivery around a dozen or more vessels in this manner.

First Watch

In late 2012 the decision was taken to enter the North Sea market and a new Aberdeen office was established, and registered from 10th April 2013. The Aberdeen base primarily looks after the ERRV business in the North Sea whilst the Singapore office is responsible for all new builds (ordering the vessels, supervision during construction and sale and purchase of vessels as and when required).

The market in the North Sea was buoyant and in particular the Emergency Recovery & Rescue Vessel (ERRV) fleet at that time consisted of a significantly high proportion of older vessels. This expansion required an order for 8 ERRVs to provide a suitably backed-up service to clients. A charter fleet of ERRVs (known previously as standby vessels) needs a relief vessel in order to provide a 365 day per year service to customers. This permits each ship to be relieved, allowing them to return to port to change crews and replenish on-board supplies in rotation. The basic requirements for an ERRV in the North Sea are quite high. The UKCS has the highest requirements and standards of all the North Sea sectors. A standard vessel must be able to rescue and accommodate up to 300 people. Sentinel’s ERRV’s are being built to accommodate more than 300 persons and house advanced medical facilities, a dormitory for twenty beds, seated areas, toilets and showers. They can also perform emergency towing and are equipped with dynamic positioning systems. In partnership with Maas Capital Investments, an investment fund of ABN AMRO Group with a focus on the offshore oil and gas industry, the first four ERRVs were ordered on 18th May 2013 with an option for a further four as part of a project exceeding £100 million. Just prior to this, the company’s first PSV, Hull 487E, was launched on 28th March 2013.

The steel cutting for the first 61m ERRV (Hull SK85) took place at the Fujian Southeast Shipyard in China on 17th July 2013 and the 1,944gt Cygnus Sentinel (originally intended to be Cromarty Sentinel) was born with her keel laying following on 6th May 2014. Launch day was on 23rd August 2014 and the keel laying for Hull SK87 (Lundy Sentinel) followed four days later. The Fastnet Sentinel (Hull SK86) was launched on 29th September 2014 at the same yard followed by the Lundy Sentinel (Hull SK87) on 22nd December 2014. On 27th January 2015 the Fastnet Sentinel was delivered and deployed to the Falkland Islands. The Cygnus Sentinel was delivered 14th February 2015 before heading to the North Sea to begin a 5-year charter with Gaz de France on the Cygnus Gas Field, one of the largest gas fields in the southern North Sea. When the fleet of 8 ERRVs was ordered for the Aberdeen base there were around 125 ERRVs already at work in the North Sea with 60% of these being in excess of 40 years old or more. Most operators already had age stipulations with regard to the AHTS and PSV vessels being chartered and this routine was extended to ERRVs. Fuel consumption and emissions were lower and reliability was higher on Sentinel’s new offering of ERRVs, which placed the company at an advantage over competitors. Reliability is of huge importance because, if an ERRV suffers a failure, its associated oil or gas platform may have to cease production until the issue is resolved. Such a halt in output could cost in excess of $500,000 per day. ERRVs tend to be unique to the North Sea but Sentinel is confident that this manner of working could have a wider role beyond this region. The Lundy Sentinel was handed over on 19th August 2015 whilst on 25th June 2016 the Fastnet Sentinel made a notable transit through the Corinth Canal en-route to her next location of employment, Catania, Sicily. Hull SK88 became the last of the 61m ERRV quartet, was given the name Forties Sentinel and she was launched on 4th April 2015 and delivered on 25th February 2016.

Second Generation

On 28th January 2014 came the news that Sentinel Marine Ltd. had ordered four 62m Focal 531 Multi-Role ERRV’s designed by Focal Marine & Offshore to supplement the 61m newbuilds. These were classed as ABS Group B ERRV’s and are designed to be easily upgraded to Group A ERRV’s. The vessels feature Dynamic Positioning, redundancy of propulsion and thruster systems, enhanced cargo carrying capabilities with 400sqm of usable deck space and advanced Rescue and Recovery equipment. The funding package for the second quartet involved Clydesdale Bank and Norddeutsche Landesbank of Hanover (NORD/LB). The offshore company then announced the acquisition of two ERRVs, the Sentinel Star and Sentinel Prince, which commenced operations in February 2014 and mid-March 2014 (no longer listed in the fleet) plus the 1,502gt/1982 built AHTS Sentinel Ranger also joined the fleet in March 2014. Among other tonnage on order to Sentinel Marine during its first years of operation, the AHTS Bold Sentinel was launched on 29th May 2014 at the Fujian Southeast Shipyard, China and delivered in September of that year. However, she was sold to Ocean Marine the following February and renamed Ocean Sinai. The 75m PSV Hulls Q & R had their steel cutting ceremony on 16th June 2014 at the Xiamen Shipyard, China and the first 78m PSV, Prime Sentinel, had her keel ceremony at the same yard on 18th August 2014. The keel was laid for Hull 491G Noble Sentinel, a 78m PSV Focal 522, on 8th November 2014. The keels were laid for two further 78m AHTS vessels on 31st July 2015 at the Wuhu Xinlian Shipyard, China whilst the 3,858gt Tempest Sentinel (Hull W1421) was launched 2nd December 2015. None of these ships currently show on Sentinel Marine’s fleet list. The keel was laid for Hull SK96 Portland Sentinel, the first 62m ERRV, on 28th February 2015 at the Cosco Shipyard in Guangdong, China. She was launched 5th October 2015 and delivered 15th July 2016. Hull SK97, the Biscay Sentinel, was launched on the 12th April 2016 at the Cosco Dalian Yard. The keel of Hull SK98/N534 (Bailey Sentinel) was laid on 28th October with hull no. SK99/N535 Malin Sentinel launched 6th July 2017. The Biscay/Bailey & Malin are scheduled for delivery in 2018.

A 9th Patrol – Custom Built

A contract for a 9th vessel in the newbuild sequence was announced on 15th May 2015 and along came the Mariner Sentinel, the focus of this feature. Her specifications were modified to a 65 metre long Focal 532 Multi-Role TERRV to suit the intended contract with Statoil. The other 8 vessels are designated as ERRVs but the Mariner was required as a Tanker Assist Emergency Response & Rescue Vessel hence her longer hull. The keel for Hull 698 (SK98) was laid on 24th Dec 2015, the launch followed on 28th October 2016 and she was delivered 2nd May 2017. The 62m and 65m newbuilds have all been constructed by the COSCO Shipyard Group Co. Ltd., a subsidiary of the COSCO Group, at their Guangdong shipyard. The Group is one of the largest ship repair companies in China and handles more than 700 large vessels annually. Founded in June 2001, the company specialises in building large vessels plus conversion projects etc. The actual 600,000m2 facility at Guangdong was established in 1971 and also offers 1,200m of berth facilities. The 61m, 62m and 65m Multi-Role Field Support ERRV/TERRVs placed Sentinel Marine well and truly on the map with such a modern, flexible and reliable fleet of vessels. Indeed, the company is looking to establish itself as the operator of the youngest fleet of ERRVs in the North Sea. The layout of all three variants of the Focal Marine & Offshore designed vessels is largely similar but the following details are all taken from the 65m TERRV data. The robustly designed newbuild Mariner Sentinel has an overall length of 65m, a length between perpendiculars of 58.20m, a beam of 16.60m and a maximum draught of 5.40m. The aft main deck offers a clear working area of 385m2 (27.7m x 14m) and a deadweight of 1,450t. Up to 600t of deck cargo can be carried to a maximum deck load of 7.5t per square metre. On the Upper Forecastle Deck, aft of the bridge, can be found a Jiangsu Haitai YSQP3/13(4/10) telescopic crane for loading/unloading supplies and lighter cargoes. The crane’s capacity at a 13m outreach is 3t and 6t at 10m. At Forecastle Deck level, on either side of the crane’s position, is a small deck area where stores/equipment containers are stowed, one in each location.

The Mariner Sentinel and her sisters are equipped with two 3,000kW/4000bhp MAK/CSSC Motoren Anqing-Kiel Co. Ltd. 9M25C diesel units. The cylinder bore for the 9-cylinder 9M25C engine is 255mm, the piston stroke is 400mm and the revolutions per minute at the maximum continuous rating of 3,000kW is 750rpm. The engines are connected to twin Reintjes Gmbh LAF 3455 K41A gearboxes with integral hydraulically operated multiple disc friction clutches and a maximum continuous rating of 3,000kW. Two main engines and gearboxes are installed for redundancy purposes thus providing the ships with a high level of reliability. Propulsion is provided via one main ducted propeller, linked to the gearbox via a Caterpillar Propulsion Production AB tailshaft. Two 700kW transverse tunnel thrusters for Dynamic Positioning (DP)/manoeuvrability are fitted fore & aft plus a retractable ducted azimuthing bow thruster for use in DP mode is located in the bow just aft of the tunnel thruster. The DP2 class system is supplied by Kongsberg. Fuel consumption is 23 tonnes per day at 13.5 knots, 15 tonnes per day at 10 knots and 1.2 tonnes per day whilst in standby mode using Dynamic Positioning and the azimuth thruster. Nine fuel tanks are fitted for a capacity of 549.9m3 plus 15 fresh water tanks (681.4m3) and 27 ballast tanks (939.4m3). On board power is supplied via three 550kW Leroy Somer-North America 595 main generator units plus two 1,500kW Leroy-Somer Electro-Technique (Fuzhou) Co. Ltd. LSAM51.2M60 shaft generators. A 120kW emergency generator is also provided.

The vessel’s accommodation is spread over four decks in the forward section of the ship and includes facilities required in the event of the need to rescue personnel from a working platform. Situated at Below Deck level in the bow is a seating/recovery area for 70-75 people. Above on Main Deck level is a hospital area on the port side consisting of a medical store, reception area, Hypothermia Bath, treatment area plus a recovery area with 26 beds. There is also a decontamination area and a morgue. For use in times of personnel rescue this entire medical area is designed to meet UK, Danish and Dutch guidelines. Across the front of this deck is the sanitary area that houses 14 toilet cubicles and 13 shower cubicles. On the starboard side of this deck can be found a 24-seat Mess Room, galley, food stores, laundry and a changing room.

Up one level on the Forecastle Deck can be found the crew accommodation for 16 persons. The Sentinel Marine newbuilds offer, unlike some of the older ships, the option of single cabins and single bathrooms. The Upper Forecastle Deck contains further crew and officer cabins/day facilities for 8 persons. In total there are 6 single cabins and 9 twin cabins for the 24 crew. All cabins are provided with en-suite facilities, internet connections and satellite TV. Additional crew amenities include a gym, sauna, recreation room and an office. The uppermost deck is the Navigation Deck with 360 degree visibility. The funnel casing is located within the bridge on the starboard side.

Aft of the deckhouse on the Forecastle Deck are the rescue craft. On the starboard side is the 15 man FRSQ 1000A Daughter Craft which is launched/recovered via a PRH 75 anti-pendulum, constant tension and shock absorbing davit with integrated towing boom. On the port side is the 15 man FRSQ 700A Fast Rescue Boat and this is launched/recovered using a PRH 35 constant tension and shock absorbing davit that also has an integrated towing boom. The Daughter Craft can be used for maintenance/transfer duties as well as rescue work. Other rescue apparatus carried on the vessel includes a Dacon Scoop rescue device, two 5m Scrample Nets used at each of the marked rescue zones, one 6 man rescue basket and Restech Rescue PLT 230 line thrower devices.

In addition to their main role of protecting offshore workers, the ships can perform other tasks such as oil recovery, firefighting (two monitors atop the bridge with a capacity of 1,200m3 per hour are fitted) and rescue towing. In terms of towage duties, the Mariner Sentinel is also required to assist tankers serving the Mariner Field. Her bollard pull for this and general emergency towing duties is 100t. A MacGregor double drum waterfall type winch with a 300t braking capacity is provided. The stern roller is 6m wide with a 2.6m diameter and a safe working load of 300t. Other towing/deck equipment includes two 5t tugger winches, two hydraulically operated closed top and retractable tow pins plus a wire chain stopper with hydraulic shark jaws capable of handling 62-114mm/40-120mm chain. The oil recovery equipment includes a 5m3 tank of Slickgone NS Type 3 dispersant, two 6m long spray booms, a 100 litres per minute displacement pump, a Desmi Terminator Skimmer with light/medium/heavy oil modules, a Furuno oil detection radar scanner and a 1500m Ro-Boom. There is also an option to store a maximum of 300m3 of recovered oil aboard the vessel. In addition to being custom-built to the highest technical standards, the multi-role nature of these vessels ensures that operating costs are kept low without compromising on capabilities.

Field of Employment

The Mariner Sentinel was delivered in May 2017 and both she and 2,173gt/2016 built sister ship Portland Sentinel were deployed on 5-year contracts to Statoil’s Mariner Field located approximately 150km east of the Shetland Islands where production is due to commence in 2018. The heavy-oil field has two shallow reservoir sections, the 1,490m Maureen Formation and the 1,227m Heimdal reservoir. More than $7 billion has been invested in the field. The purposely named Mariner Sentinel’s charter was brokered by Braemar ACM Shipbrokers. On 14th September 2017 the Mariner Sentinel was officially christened during a ceremony at Aberdeen Harbour. Statoil’s Aberdeen-based offshore logistics and services supervisor, Line Kaldestad, named the vessel in her role as the ship’s godmother. The blessing was carried out by the Howard Drysdale, superintendent of Aberdeen Seafarers Centre and port chaplain. Other guests at the event included Rory Deans, Chief Executive of Sentinel Marine, Hedda Felin, Senior Vice President of Statoil UK and Ireland and the ship’s Captain, Ivor Flett. A month later on 25th October 2017 fleet mate Forties Sentinel was officially named at a ceremony in Great Yarmouth. This 61m vessel had been contracted to INEOS Breagh to provide support for the firm’s production facilities in the Breagh gas field. INEOS has also chartered a second ERRV from the Sentinel Marine fleet, the 1,502gt/1982 built Sentinel Ranger, for the field which is 40 miles off northeast England in the southern North Sea.

At the time of writing in late November the Sentinel Marine vessels were deployed to the following:-

• Cygnus Sentinel
• Cygnus; Fastnet Sentinel
• Buzzard; Lundy Sentinel
• destined for the Cygnus Field; Forties Sentinel
• Clipper South; Portland Sentinel
• Mariner; Mariner Sentinel 
• Mariner and the Sentinel Ranger was bound for Hartlepool.

The other three 62m vessels were still being completed at the shipyard.

Fleet (as shown 20/11/17)

Technical Specifications

Special thanks must go to Allan Davidson, New Building Manager at Sentinel Marine and Leanne Carter at Tricker PR for the supply of information/diagrams plus Alan Jamieson for the kind permission to use his image as the lead photo.