Two Caister lifeboatmen are hoping to capitalise on the boom in the offshore windfarm industry after investing �800,000 in a new service boat. Guy Gibson and Richard Thurlow, both second coxswains, run Iceni Marine Services out of Great Yarmouth.

Two Caister lifeboatmen are hoping to capitalise on the boom in the offshore windfarm industry after investing �800,000 in a new service boat.

Guy Gibson and Richard Thurlow, both second coxswains, run Iceni Marine Services out of Great Yarmouth.

Set up last year, the firm has already provided crew transfer and associated services to projects at Gunfleet Sands and Scroby Sands with an 11m Blyth catamaran.

Now they have launched their second vessel, the 15.5m Iceni Spirit, built by South Boats at Cowes on the Isle of Wight.

It has meant they have increased their staff to total five and expect turnover to increase.

Mr Thurlow previously worked as a crew transfer skipper for a Newcastle based firm on the Scroby Sands project.

Mr Gibson previously worked in the offshore oil and gas industry carrying out crane fabrication for offshore installations.

Between them the paid have five years experience in the offshore wind power industry and more than twenty years within the North Sea oil and gas industry.

Mr Thurlow said the second boat would keep the firm ahead of industry regulations and standards, which were higher for boats going to wind farms offshore, and meet client's needs.

He said the second boat was more spacious than the first and comes kitted out with cushioned seats, hot drink and food making facilities, toilets and more space for carrying any associated equipment.

Its predominant use will be carrying out offshore wind farm crew transfers, but will also do dive support, survey support and standby and safety boat support.

It has been tested to cope with wave heights over two metres.