A Norfolk boatbuilder has secured a £2m contract to build two vessels that will be used to install offshore wind turbines.  

Great Yarmouth-based Alicat Workboats will build the two boats - each worth almost £1m – using entirely British materials.

The boats will be built at Alicat’s yard in Great Yarmouth, before being exported to Turkey to undertake installation and maintenance of offshore wind farms.

The firm secured the £2m package through Virgin Money, backed by UK Export Finance (UKEF).

12m Aluminium DC Catamaran under construction12m Aluminium DC Catamaran under construction (Image: Supplied) Simon Coote, general manager at Alicat Workboats, said: “With the support of the UKEF Export Team and Virgin Money, Alicat Workboats were able to secure financing using the UK Export Finance guarantee scheme.

“This, in turn, allowed Alicat to secure the build of two new vessels for a major shipbuilder in Turkey and provide 12 months of secured work in our yard in Great Yarmouth, allowing us to maintain local employment and training opportunities for the next generation of boat builders."

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Alicat Workboats' directors Simon Coote (left) and Steve ThackerAlicat Workboats' directors Simon Coote (left) and Steve Thacker (Image: Alicat Workboats) The contract will help Alicat to support 35 existing jobs and take on new apprentices, supporting the future of boatbuilding in Norfolk.