UK operator North Star formally named its newest commissioning service operation vessel (CSOV) in a ceremony at Vard Langsten's facilities in Norway on Tuesday, May 6.
Grampian Kestrel is the first in a series of two CSOVs that Vard is building for North Star. Sister vessel Grampian Eagle is meanwhile in the final stages of construction.
The CSOV utilises a design that was developed by Vard Design specifically for North Star. The vessel features an optimised hull form and is fitted with a hybrid propulsion system that can be configured to run on methanol fuel in the future.
The CSOV measure 95 by 19.5 metres and has single cabin accommodation for up to 111 windfarm technicians.
Grampian Kestrel's initial deployment will be in support of German energy company EnBW at the latter's He Dreiht offshore wind farm in the North Sea, which will have a total installed output of 960 MW upon completion.