Britlift supports leading edge maritime defence company
Britlift’s modular spreader beams are supporting the development of a new generation of leading-edge maritime defence craft.
SubSea Craft (SSC) is a developer of advanced maritime technology for the defence sector. Its two flagship products are VICTA and MARS. VICTA is a next-generation maritime delivery platform capable of a high-speed surface transit before rapidly transitioning to submersible mode for covert delivery of operators and equipment. MARS is an uncrewed surface vessel which SSC designed, developed and deployed on the water within 100 days, demonstrating the company’s cutting-edge capabilities.
Based in Portsmouth, UK, SSC needed some lifting equipment to help get the pioneering craft in and out of the water, as well as for dry dock work. SSC works closely with Below the Hook Services (BTH) and reached out to them for advice. BTH recommended its long-time partner, Britlift, which developed and manufactured a custom frame.
There are 12 lifting points, and they all have to be precisely located within very tight tolerances.
VICTA Submersible Craft
Nick Buzzard, HSE lead at SSC, said: “Our maritime technology products are leading edge and unique requiring a bespoke lifting solution to safely and effectively lift the craft in and out of the water, or onto other vessels.”
Britlift’s modular beams break into four parts for ease of transport and storage. Following the success of the lifting frame, SSC commissioned Britlift to create bespoke solutions for lifting engines and battery packs during the manufacturing and testing processes.
their boat lifting systems are super-reliable as well as easy to assemble
One Over Two Operation
the level of service and overall engineering/operational support the client was looking for, which was particularly pleasing for us
“Britlift are very easy to deal with and responsive. Whenever we have raised any questions, or even a concern, they have been very quick to respond. I have had a lot of experience with their boat lifting systems and they are super-reliable as well as easy to assemble. Everything comes with clear markings which makes it foolproof – I can give it to any member of my team with full confidence that they can properly assemble it.”
Key Side Lift
Britlift are very easy to deal with and responsive.
Liam Botting, managing director of Britlift, said: “Whilst the lifting system itself was not particularly bespoke or unique, as it is consists of our standardised off-the-shelf modular spreader beams (in a one over two config.), it was the level of service and overall engineering/operational support the client was looking for, which was particularly pleasing for us. It also helped that the item being lifted was so unique and interesting!
Based in Dorset, UK, Britlift works with a global client base, providing an end-to-end lifting equipment engineering design service including calculations, design, manufacture, certification, and rig design. The qualified mechanical and structural engineers at Britlift will work with the client during the design phase, ensuring the most efficient, effective, safe and suitable solution is engineered, be that a lifting beam or frame, a bespoke handling or lifting tool, complex rig design, or FEA. Its Traditional Modular spreader beams and Multilifter (ML180) are also available in a variety of standard sizes.
