smallerresetlarger
MST completes refit for FPV Sea Spray through its Fleet Services division Print
Liverpool based RIB specialist MST (Marine Specialist Technology Ltd) does more than just design and manufacture commercial and military RIBs to its clients’ varied and specific requirements. It also offers an ‘in-house’ back-up, refit and maintenance service. And the reassuring knowledge that this back-up is always available from the original manufacturer is just one of the many reasons why increasing numbers of commercial and military clients are placing contracts with MST.

A case in point is the Fleet Services MST680A RIB ‘FPV Sea Spray’ built for Eastern Sea Fisheries for stern ramp launched operations from its Fisheries Patrol Vessel ‘FPV Protector’. Built back in 2003, this MST680A was one of MST’s earlier contracts. Over the years, ‘FPV Sea Spray’ has had a hard working life. What’s more, new and improved electronics and accessories have come on the market since its 2003 launch.

So Eastern Sea Fisheries Joint Committee decided to send ‘FPV Sea Spray’ back to MST’s recently enlarged Liverpool base for a refit. This also included fitting a radar arch, new Furuno radar dome, GPS and chart plotter. These all operate independently from the existing GPS and plotter.

Paid for in part through a grant from the European Fisheries Control Fund, the refit gives the vessel greater enforcement capabilities; especially at night and when operating independently from its mother ship.


The Clerk and Chief Fishery Officer Matthew Mander said "the work carried out by MST will assist Fishery Officers conducting enforcement operations particularly in the Wash as unfortunately a minority of fishermen continue to fish within areas closed to the cockle and mussel fisheries.  A lot of time and effort was spent by fishermen, the Joint Committee and Natural England in agreeing management measures applicable to these fisheries.  The Wash is a site of national and international importance, as such the Joint Committee is committed to doing what it can to ensure that the actions of a few fishermen do not jeopardise the future of fisheries within the European Marine Site.  Fitting FPV Sea Spray with this equipment is one such measure that the Joint Committee is taking".

The refit is now completed and the FPV Sea Spray has returned to service.