Offshore engineering and technology company Osbit Ltd has completed its first project for Seajacks with the delivery of a bespoke access system for the company’s offshore wind farm installation and maintenance vessel, Seajacks Scylla.
The gangway, which is now in operation aboard the Seajacks Scylla, has been deployed to DONG Energy’s 659MW Walney Extension offshore wind farm development in the Irish Sea, off the west coast of England. Seajacks Scylla is currently installing MHI Vestas 8.25MW turbines at the Walney 3 site some 19 kilometres off the Cumbrian coast.
Providing access from the vessel to turbine transition pieces, the telescopic, variable height gangway is a new addition to Osbit’s existing offshore access capability and has been specially-designed to suit Seajacks’ requirements.
Extending up to a distance of 35 metres, the gangway has a wider than usual operational height capability of between -45 degrees and +15 degrees to ensure it is not restricted by the jack-up vessel’s height, Osbit said. Seajacks Scylla jack up vessel is fitted with 105 metre-long legs, which have the ability to install components in water depths of up to 65 metres.
Certified by DNV GL to its personnel transfer offshore gangway standard, the gangway is deployed using a dedicated auxiliary crane, which enables the vessel’s 1,500 tonne leg encircling crane to focus on installation operations.
Designed at its Riding Mill office and assembled at its Port of Blyth base in the North East of England, Northumberland-based Osbit completed the project within its 18-week schedule. The gangway was road transported from the Port of Blyth to Holland, where the vessel was mobilised.
Osbit engineers oversaw the system’s delivery, installation and commissioning and also provided training on its operation and maintenance to vessel crews.
Brendon Hayward , Managing Director of Osbit Ltd, said: “Collaborating closely with Seajacks, our bespoke gangway is designed to provide a wide scope of height deployment, which will prevent operational downtime and enable seamless integration into its landmark vessel’s extensive jack-up capabilities.”