Fletcher is well known as a platform supply vessel operator, having worked in the North Sea for over 20 years. But with experience carrying out ROV operations and boulder clearance for the renewables industry, Keith Fletcher saw an opportunity for expansion.
The diversification process sees Colin Millum, (who designed and manufactured leading ROVs and propulsion systems during his reign at Sub-Atlantic), brought in to head up the technical team, amongst other new recruits.
Fletcher provides a one-stop-shop service for sea-bed preparation including survey and boulder clearance, UXO identification and de-risk and cable intervention. Working for a major power company on a wind turbine project in the English Channel recently, they successfully cleared 9000 boulders from the cable path in a very short time frame.
Fletcher have a new business model which will make dramatic savings for the industry. Savings will be made by:
- Using their own low-cost dynamically positioned platform supply vessels rather than expensive diver/ROV vessels.
- The company has created its own ROV – The Zodiac TT, which does a number of tasks including surveying the sea bed, clearing it and then protecting the cables which have been laid. This method is also environmentally friendly compared to other dredging methods.
- One company doing all of these tasks means there’s no middle man, and they are ready to mobilise quickly.
Keith Fletcher, managing director, said “The novel method of combining our own dynamically positioned supply vessel with our own technology for sea bed preparation offers the industry much needed efficiencies and genuine cost reduction.”
Mike Porter, operations director, added: “Fletcher will be employing people traditionally working in oil and gas, giving them an opportunity to transfer to renewables. We are building the UKs ability to service windfarm contracts across offshore Europe. Renewables is an exciting new part of Aberdeen and the UKs future as an Energy hub.”
Further information can be viewed on our video: https://vimeo.com/183476973
For press queries and photos contact Kerri Lloyd kerri.lloyd@fletcher-group.com / +44 (0)1224 785785.
For business enquiries, contact Mike Porter mike.porter@fletcher-group.com / +44 (0)1224 785785.