GEAR | Crew transfer vessel repowered with Volvo Penta IPS during lockdown

The Northern Offshore Services (NOS) vessel Traveller recently underwent a major upgrade that lengthened, re-powered and modernised the crew transfer vessel. Now powered by Volvo Penta’s inboard performance system (IPS) the vessel is already back to work.

Traveller was purpose-built and designed for the offshore wind industry. However, to facilitate a larger crew transfer and more efficient travel, she has undergone a huge upgrade.

The vessel has been lengthed by 6.5 metres, the interior has been modernised and the capacity doubled to 24 passengers. Additionally, Traveller has also been repowered with the IPS and a new control system. The physical upgrade took place in Grovfjord Mek Verksted, Norway, however, with travel bans into Norway, the Volvo Penta team had no choice but to support the launch remotely.

“There was no option to postpone the launch,” said David Kristensson, CEO at NOS. “This vessel was needed. The world may be on lockdown but offshore windfarms provide essential services to many people so we had to keep working.”

Due to travel restrictions into Norway, the Volvo Penta team could not get to the shipyard to do the physical installation and launch. However, Richard Johansson, Sales and Application Manager, Marine Nordic and his team – with the help of Norwegian VPS, Harstad Marina– succeeded in setting up the new system remotely from Gothenburg.

“It was complicated but there was no other way during the lockdown,” explained David. “And although there were a few delays she is now up and running and has gone straight to work off the Dutch coast.”

Traveller has been fitted with a quad installation of Volvo Penta IPS 900 Q2 props, which are linked to the onboard joystick docking function. The joystick makes docking at offshore wind farm turbines easier and safer in rough seas.

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