Dutch offshore support specialist Windcat has placed a new windfarm crewboat into service.
Hydrocat 60 is the second in a series of catamaran crewboats to be acquired by Windcat as well as the first of the series to be powered by hydrogen.
The newbuild is equipped with two D2862 LE458 dual fuel hydrogen combustion engines co-developed by CMB.TECH and MAN. The engines allow the vessel to operate on both hydrogen and traditional diesel fuel, ensuring flexibility and reliability.
The vessel also features CMB.TECH’s full hydrogen system, capable of storing up to 458 kg of compressed hydrogen.
Developed in-house by Windcat in compliance with Lloyd's Register class rules, the design incorporates feedback and experience from the daily operations of the company's fleet and offers further optimised seakeeping capabilities, larger deck space, and provisions for increased hydrogen storage.
With an optimised hull shape, increased width, and elevated freeboard, the series will ensure greater accessibility and comfort, making the crewboats ideal for operations further offshore.
Hydrocat 60 has an LOA of 27.4 metres, a beam of nine metres, and an operational draught of 2.1 metres. The MAN dual-fuel engines produce 2,132 kW and drive controllable-pitch propellers to deliver a maximum speed of 28 knots, a service speed of 24 knots, and a bollard push of 18 tonnes.