In 1992 Maersk Supply prompted Ulstein to build the UT745 which was a development of the UT705, itself still being built. But the 745 pushed the then boundaries of what was possible for a platform ship to achieve, or possibly what can be achieved today, since the ship was supposed to be able to operate successfully in wind speeds of 50 knots, this even though it was generally accepted that offshore cranes would shut down at 45 knots. Maersk operated six including starting with the Maersk Fighter and including the vessel pictured here, the Maersk Feeder. And other owners commissioned versions of their own including the Trico, Farstad and GulfMark. Several are still in service. They are great big ships and it is difficult how the later versions fitted with 10,000 bhp engines could be bettered for the platform supply task.

TYPE: UT 745		NORTHERN GAMBLER		PHOTO: Vic Gibson
GENERAL		PROPULSION		CARGO CAPACITY
Length OA	84.0 m	Engines	2 x Bergen BRM6	Fuel	1503 m3
Breadth	18.8 m	BHP/kW	7200/5300	Pot water	837 m3
DWT	4585 t	For'd Thrusters	2 x 1200 bhp	Mud	506 m3
Deck area	957 m2	Az Thruster	-	Base oil	-
		Aft Thrusters	2 x 800 bhp	Brine	692 m3
Year built	1996	Joystick	Ulstein	Dry bulk	396 m3
Shipyard	Ulstein Verft	DP	-	Tank Cleaning
Previous names
Comments	Sold to Fletcher Marine