Blog

And why would you? Renewable energy is driving construction in the waters around the UK at an ever increasing pace.  Studies commissioned by Europe’s major energy companies show that as much as 10 percent of all bombs and torpedoes fired or dropped during the second world war failed to detonate.  The reality is thousands upon thousands ofContinue reading "How do you hang 100kg of Magnetometer over the side of a Survey Rib?"

Island Phoenix ‘Island Phoenix’ a 14m South Boats IOW built jet drive catamaran joins the Commercial Rib Charter (CRC) fleet after a signing ceremony held at the South Boats IOW headquarters in Cowes on the Isle of Wight yesterday. ‘’This multipurpose catamaran is a perfect fit for CRC’’ explains director Stuart Hedges, ‘’Fast, comfortable andContinue reading "Exciting New Addition to CRC"

It doesn’t take much to work out who has chartered ‘Seafire‘ this week Usually more ‘at home’ on the aft deck of a Super Yacht CRC’s ‘Seafire’ will be putting the Hampshire Police through their paces on a fast jet-boat training course. Part of the police training will include shallow water operations as well asContinue reading "‘Seafire’ SOLAS Fast Response RIB"

Over the past year Commercial Rib Charter have been working towards becoming an ISO 9001:2008 certified company, which we are pleased to say we now are! The ISO 9001:2008 certification requires a company to have a quality management system in place. Achieving this standard sends a clear message to our customers that we are dedicated to providingContinue reading "ISO 9001 Certification"

Last week some of the team from Commercial Rib Charter joined forces with RS Divers  and spent the day in Portsmouth Harbour with our purpose built Dive Support Vessel ‘CRC Tempest‘ and Multi Role Vessel ‘CRC Argosy‘    With an early start and quick blast along the Solent the team soon arrived at Camber Dock, home ofContinue reading "Diving in Portsmouth."

At CRC we like to make sure our boats are completely up to date and fitted with the latest gadgets. By far the most impressive bits of kit we use are the Garmin 7 series touch screen plotters. Acting as the main display on board, all the information from the engines, radar, sonar, GPS, AIS, VHF andContinue reading "Modern day marine electronics."

Sometimes we are asked what ‘RIB’ or ‘RHIB’ actually stands for, and why they might be better than conventional designs. RIB is the commonly used acronym for Rigid Inflatable Boat, if it contains an H, it stands for Rigid Hulled Inflatable Boat. Both RIBs and RHIBs are the same thing, they are light-weight, high performanceContinue reading "What is a RIB or RHIB? And what are the advantages?"

This week, a handful of our team are training on our vessel CRC Tempest.  Have a look at the short clip on our Facebook page to see whats going on CRC Tempest Crew Training .  Four of our full time skippers are spending a full week at the controls of the new Dive Support Vessel to ensure we continue toContinue reading "DSV Crew Training"

We had a great day on the water last Thursday for a photo shoot with 16 of  the CRC fleet. The professional images are due to arrive with us next week, but in the mean time here’s a shot of four of our cabin Ribs. Stay tuned for the professional images next week!  

A very exciting Friday is looming for CRC………  Our new Dive Support Vessel ‘Tempest’ rolled out of the sheds at Goodchild Marine today having undergone a full re-fit.  DSV Tempest has been given new engines and Hamilton jets, a full interior and exterior strip and re-build.  She arrives with us tomorrow following her IMCA andContinue reading "New Dive Support Vessel for CRC"

With such high demand for CRC vessels this year, we have expanded our fleet.  CRC are still awaiting the delivery of Galaxy, our flagship 15m MCA Cat 1 wheelhouse Rib, but whilst waiting, we have been busy shopping. CRC Atlas, an 11m Ribcraft wheelhouse Rib will be being sea trialled at the end of this week.  SheContinue reading "CRC Fleet Additions"

Project Galaxy will be delivered mid June 2015 expanding the range and capabilities of Commercial Rib Charter’s fleet of workboats, safety boats, survey and crew transfer vessels. Galaxy: Specification The 15m Cabin Rib will be capable of carrying 12 passengers plus 3 crew in safety and comfort.  A state-of-the-art navigation suite including Vessel Monitoring SystemsContinue reading "New 15m Cabin Rib: GALAXY"

As CRC Argosy nears completion of her refit, the team are busy installing the navigation electronics, and today two of Suzuki‘s latest breed of outboard engines. High-end radar, navigation and communications equipment from Garmin completes the line up in the wheel-house, along with the Wallas heating system and Hynautic Seastar steering system installed earlier this week. The twin 175hp four strokeContinue reading "New Engines for CRC Argosy"

So it begins: CRC Argosy goes into refit – Day 1 Standby to see CRC Argosy, our new 9m Ribcraft Cabin Rib, transformed from a shell into a high-spec custom built commercial workboat. Fully stripped and primed for fit-out in our Lymington facility, Argosy will incorporate twin four stroke Suzuki 175hp outboards, air driven suspensionContinue reading "CRC Argosy goes into refit: Day 1"

CRC Hercules went out today testing two new suspension seats from Grammer Seating.  Grammer produce the highest quality suspension seats which have been approved to DNV standards for marine applications.  Electric air driven suspension with headrest, armrests, lap safety belt along with pneumatic lumbar support, automatic height adjustment and built-in heating mean the ultimate seat forContinue reading "CRC Hercules new suspension seats"

Shortly after departing Southampton on Saturday evening, the Hoegh Autoliners, 180m Hoegh Osaka ran aground on the Bramble Bank in the Central Solent.  One of 60 car and truck carriers operated by Hoegh, the vessel suffered a serious list passing Calshot Spit and left the Master and Pilot with limited options to avoid a possible capsize.Continue reading "Hoegh Osaka – Car carrier goes aground in the Solent"

Commercial Rib Charter were operating in the waters off the South Coast to assist one of the UK’s most prominent defence agencies with their radar trials. Carrying an unusual payload, our 8.8m Ribcraft Open Rib ran several patterns enabling a land-based radar station to experiment with new detection technology. CRC’s purpose built workshops enabled pre-charterContinue reading "Radar testing on the South Coast"

The RAF Search and Rescue team asked us to help them with their display at the at The Cholmondeley Pageant of Power While the Rib was underway, the RAF used a Griffin helicopter to track the boat and winch a crewman down next to the Rib, placing him in the water to be rescued. SeeContinue reading "RAF Search and Rescue Support"

This photo was taken on a small lake in North London. The lake needed to be surveyed by a client, a job that took over 3 days using one of our Ribs. Lots of green in contrast to the blue waters we usually experience. CRC provide a range of cabin ribs, small Ribs, inflatables andContinue reading "Lake Survey"