Rix rides renewables wave with vessel launch

THE Yorkshire company behind a new boat that has arrived in the Humber estuary said the event marks “an historic revival of shipbuilding in the region.”

The Rix Cheetah, built under license from Great Yarmouth-based Alicat Workboats – a subsidiary of the Gardline Group – was craned into the Humber estuary at Paull and towed to Hull’s Albert Dock for finishing.

The vessel is the first of a £5.1m order for three aluminum workboats from Hull business Rix Sea Shuttle – the latest in the J.R. Rix & Sons group of businesses.

It is destined for work in the UK’s burgeoning renewable energy industry, taking service engineers and equipment to and from wind farms off Britain’s east coast.

Once fitted out, which is due to be completed towards the end of June, the Rix Cheetah will undergo official launch ceremony in the city.

The boat was built at the Rix-owned former Hepworth ship yard in Paull, east of Hull.

Previously vessels built at the yard include the Lerrix, a 53-metre long marine bunkering vessel owned by Rix Shipping that works on Humber estuary and around the east coast.

James Doyle, managing director of Rix Sea Shuttle, said the seeing the Rix Cheetah in the water was a red-letter day in the history of shipbuilding on the Humber.

“It‘s fantastic to know that our order is sparking a revival in shipbuilding in this region,” he said.

“The fact is demand is being driven by the renewables sector so what we are seeing is the region’s newest industry offering a lifeline to one of its oldest.

“It is opportunities like this that are going to be created as the Humber becomes a hub for the UK’s renewable energy sector and with the right vision and planning, such as is the case with Rix Sea Shuttle, many local companies should be able to benefit.

“The Rix Cheetah is the first of three similar vessels that will be delivered over the next couple of years that will help propel Rix to the heart of the region’s newest industry.”