Incat Crowther announces that it has been awarded a contract to design a 25m Catamaran Wind Farm Service Vessel (WFSV). Construction of the vessel has commenced at MMS Ship Repair in Hull, in the UK.
Designed to meet an industry demand for increased cargo capacity and flexibility, the vessel will feature a large forward cargo deck that caters for a single 20-foot container, or a pair of 10 foot containers. 20 foot containers can be mounted longitudinally or transversely, allowing additional cargo to be carried as required.
A deck crane is mounted at the forward end of the cargo deck. A passenger cabin at the aft end of the main deck will house 12 technicians, with a galley, wet room, dive stores and bathroom. 4 berths for crew members are located in the in the hulls. The open cargo deck arrangement affords the wheelhouse excellent visibility over cargo handling operations and enhances safety when docked at turbines. Turbine docking is also improved with the fitment of a concave fendering arrangement across the bow.
As with many Incat Crowther WFSVs, this reinforced bow appendage is fitted in a bolt-on arrangement, allowing for quick and easy replacement in the case of damage of for job-specific attachments.
The vessel will be powered by a pair of Caterpillar C32 Acert main engines, each outputting 970kW (1300hp). Propelled by a pair of 5-bladed propellers, the vessel will reach a fully loaded speed of 23 knots, with a top speed of 25 knots. As well as being highly flexible, the vessel will become a member of the “2 metre club”, meaning it can maintain operation in seas of up to 2m.
This is a massive advantage to the profitability of the vessel, as vessels of this capability see approximately twice as much work as vessels capable of operating in 1.5 meter seas. The vessel is classed to DNV’s Windfarm Service Craft rules, under a UK MCA flag.
With over 350 passenger, workboat and leisure vessels in operation, Incat Crowther brings decades of experience and the expertise to the Wind Farm Service Vessel marketplace. This experience and expertise offers operators unparalleled ruggedness, reliability and efficiency.
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Offshore WIND staff, July 4, 2012; Image: Incat Crowther