Samba takes delivery of a Damen Multi Cat 2712

Norwegian owner Samba AS has taken delivery of a Damen Multi Cat 2712. Captain and joint owner Bjørn Brimsholm, who sailed the new workboat over from the Netherlands to Norway was delighted with its performance, even though the vessel faced Force 8 gales for most of the three-day journey.

The Damen Multi Cat 2712 was named ‘Fox Fighter’ in a naming ceremony at Damen Shipyards Hardinxveld in the Netherlands on June 12. Speaking just after his arrival in Bergen on the newly christened Fox Fighter, Capt. Brimsholm comments: “We had a really hard wind and were a bit worried about how the vessel would perform because she is not ‘a typical ship shaped’ vessel but there was absolutely no need to worry. The Multi Cat 2712 was really comfortable for the crew and very quiet. It was much better than we thought in rough weather and she definitely had quite a test!”

Based in Os, Samba is majority owned by Capt. Brimsholm and his cousin. The company plans to deploy the Damen Multi Cat 2712 in the oil industry in the spot market and this will be combined with working in the Norwegian aquaculture sector.

Samba was attracted by the layout of the Damen Multi Cat 2712, adds Capt. Brimsholm, as the winches can be used both ways and it has two large cranes.

The Norwegian company already has a Damen vessel, when Samba acquired a Damen Multi Cat 2409 named Molly in 2013. She is on a 3+1 year contract treating salmon with hydrogen peroxide, a treatment for lice and amoebic gill disease. The Fox Fighter is also likely to do similar work, as well as mooring and maintenance tasks in the future. “We have been very pleased with the quality of this vessel and therefore decided to come to Damen again but for a newbuild vessel.”

Coupled with the quality of the vessel itself, Samba decided to order from Damen because of its ability to deliver very quickly. The Multi Cat 2712 was ordered on May 8 and was in Norway on June 17!

The vessel will be the first newbuild from Damen’s proven range of workboats to operate in Norway’s large aquaculture and spot oil market. Damen Sales Manager in Stavanger, Remko Hottentot, says: “The aquaculture industry can benefit from Damen’s standardised platforms for versatile and reliable workboats. The Multi Cat range is one of our most trusted and proven products.” Remko adds: “And this order shows client-specific customisation is no problem. The vessels are highly suited for carrying out day-to-day work such as the transport of personnel/equipment and maintenance or more specialised tasks for the aquaculture industry.”