C-MAR Group has announced that it has won a major crewing contract with EMAS AMC, which will see the business provide the marine crew for the 520ft, reeled pipelay vessel the Express, until summer 2015.
The agreement means that C-MAR has now provided marine crews on board the Express for three different owners: Torch Offshore, Helix Subsea Construction, and EMAS AMC, since the vessel was commissioned in 2004.
Peter Aylott, C-MAR Group’s COO, said: “I’m delighted to be able to announce that we have won such an important contract. The fact that we have supplied crew for the Express since she was commissioned almost a decade ago is a rarity today and reflects C-MAR’s reputation for quality, value and expertise.
“Extending our crewing and management offer is C-MAR’s top priority, so this agreement is strategically significant for the business. We have experience in providing crews for all kinds of vessels, from diving support vessels and pipe lay vessels, to well intervention and stim vessels, and will be looking to significantly enlarge our offer in this area.”
Aylott concluded his comments by highlighting the on-going difficulty of finding skilled professionals to fulfil marine contracts. He said, “The biggest challenge that we face in the offshore and marine world at present is a growing shortage of manpower. Cabotage regulations, an aging work force and a shortage of people entering the industry have all combined to create a significant headache. That’s particularly true in the case of vessels like the Express where skilled positions such as DP operators are needed. The industry needs to work together collaboratively if we’re going to find a way to prevent the situation from continuing to deteriorate.”
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