A new 61-metre boat which will be used for emergency response and rescue operations out of Great Yarmouth has been officially named.

The Forties Sentinel was built by Aberdeen-based Sentinel Marine and has been contracted to Ineos Breagh to support its production facilities in the Breagh gas field off the coast of Teesside.

It is one of two ships, alongside the Sentinel Ranger, which together represent a £110m investment by the company.

The vessel was named in a quayside ceremony by the ship's godmother, Ylva Tuft, the wife of Ineos Oil & Gas chief executive Geir Tuft, while the blessing was performed by Great Yarmouth port chaplain Rev Peter Paine.

Mervyn Williams, supply chain manager, said: 'This agreement shows that we are committed to providing our workers with a safe environment. Both Forties Sentinel and Sentinel Ranger will carry out essential duties across the Breagh gas field and support our operations for years to come. Ineos is committed to its operations in the area and we are delighted to have chartered vessels from Sentinel Marine which have been designed and built to the highest of specifications.

'As natural gas continues to provide 84% of UK household heating, operations in the North Sea are of paramount importance, these two new vessels will provide essential operations support in the field.'