NORCO wins £9.9m MoD boat contract

The contract is to construct two new vessels to replace the interim Gibraltar Squadron Fast Patrol Crafts.

The construction of the two boats began in July and will take approximately 18 months, with the first boat due to be delivered in quarter 3 2021/22 and the second in quarter 1 2022/23.

NORCO will manufacture the complete structure (hull, deck, and wheelhouse) for the two vessels inline with MST’s production schedule.

Mark Northey, managing director at NORCO, said: “I am very happy to be working in partnership with MST again. Here at NORCO, we pride ourselves on developing successful relationships with our customers to gain repeat business. This project will add to our portfolio of defence contracts, which demonstrates our ability to deliver product that meets the stringent quality standards of the MoD.”

Gibraltar Squadron Fast Patrol Craft, HMS PURSUER and DASHER, 2 Archer-class vessels have recently taken over from Scimitar-Class vessels HMS SABRE and HMS SCIMITAR, whilst the two MST vessels are under-construction.

The Scimitar Class vessels had been in service in Gibraltar for 17 years and were due an upgrade as part of the Royal Navy’s modernisation programme. These vessels maintain the security of British Gibraltar Territorial Waters.

Chris Hurley project manager at MST commented: “We are delighted to have NORCO onboard with us for this prestigious defence project with the Royal Navy as they have proven in the past, on many occasions, that they can deliver quality composite structures on-time with their large capacity facilities.”

www.norco.co.uk