Quietly tucked away in a newly redeveloped part of Liverpool docks is the modest home of Marine Specialised Technology (MST). But inside beats the heart of one of the forerunners of commercial and military RIBs and high-speed workboats.
With a long history in naval architecture, the three directors of MST realised in 2001 that they had more than enough pooled experience and knowledge to form their own manufacturing facility when a European agent approached them with a marine contract to complete. MST effectively project managed the work and admit they traded on their reputation for the next three years whilst they established their own brand name.
Discarding the Rulebook
Throwing away the rulebook, MST designed a series of vessels based on their own templates but with parts commonality playing a major role in the designs. The company set out to maximise the interchangability of the fittings, which would dramatically reduce the need for a huge range of spares and parts, and facilitate easy customisation without compromising the basic design.
It also allowed for "all the clever bits" as sales director Philip Hibbert modestly described them, to be combined in single units. It was a concept that was instantly adopted by navies around the world and in 2009 MST landed the biggest RIB contract outside of North America.
The Royal Dutch Navy has a current order for 48, 12 metre vessels in production. These boats carry two crew and 10 fully equipped embarked personnel. The order was won on the adaptability of the boats and the parts commonality of the design. MST has also become the preferred supplier for a Dutch company specialising in high-speed stern ramp launched RIBs for frigates.
One of MST's specialities is their military RIB, especially its Subskimmer 550 special operations submersible diver delivery craft. An adaptable RIB that can be used as a surface vehicle, semi submerged for stealth approach or submersed by deflating the collars.
Specialist as Standard
Obviously in a saltwater environment and with such customised equipment, specialised fixtures, fittings and hoses would be required as standard. Sourcing a suitable supplier wasn't that difficult a task for MST as one of the directors had previously used Pirtek with Jungheinrich. Pirtek Liverpool was subsequently contacted in 2008 with a list of requirements for highly specialised power steering and fuel hoses.
"Pirtek now supplies all the power steering hydraulic lines which have to be to ISO standards as well as MCA specification for military use. From delivery of the hull, MST will have the vessel in the water in three weeks, so we have to be efficient. It’s no good having a half a million pound vessel delayed for the sake of a £6 part. And that’s where Pirtek win,” Hibbert asserts. “They will come out when we want, fully equipped and supply all the odd bits we need. Their ability to arrive on site with a mobile workshop makes a lot of our work viable, as they can make the hose assemblies on site and on demand. That saves a lot of investment in stock and capital expenditure for the company."