RBG, the leading provider of fabric maintenance and construction support to the global energy industry, announced that it is to invest more than $4 million to boost the capability of its offshore diving fleet.

This company, which recently rebranded as RBG Middle East in the Mena region, will add two new 15 metre purpose built crafts and two 8.5 metre support craft to its existing fleet. Specially designed for RBG to enhance the company’s diving services capability, the new crafts will include dedicated launch and recovery systems as well as introducing efficiencies in air nitrox diving, WROV works and surveying.

With a focus on maximising safety and operational flexibility under pre-defined weather limitations, the crafts will provide specialist marine-based services to rigs, platforms, FPSOs and support vessels, throughout RBG’s global operations.

RBG has also chartered the specialist dive support vessel Olympic Triton to support its diving, ROV and subsea capabilities. With the vessel, air nitrox diving operations will be able to be carried out from diver Launch And Recovery ‘A’ frames (LARS) located on the port side of the vessel. Diving operations will also be able to be carried out remotely from the vessel, utilising one certified to MCA Category I craft, and one MCA Category II transfer craft. Both crafts have self launch capability.

The vessel also has the capability of launching two work class ROVs from both the port and starboard sides. The vessel main crane is capable of lifting 150 tonnes at 10 metres, 75 tonnes at 20 metres and 25 tonnes at 35 metres and is also fitted with a 20 tonne auxiliary crane.

The latest announcements come on the back of a successful year for RBG’s marine and subsea division, which secured contracts in excess of $12 million for diving, inspection and other subsea-related activities.

“Over the last year we have witnessed increasing demand for diving, ROV and inspection, repair and maintenance services. The outlook for 2011 is positive and by adding to our existing fleet we will ensure that we are well placed to capture new business opportunities both in the UK and internationally,” stated Calum Buchanan, RBG’s Marine and Subsea director.-TradeArabia News Service