Australian shipbuilder Austal has been awarded a contract for the design and construction of three Wind Express offshore support vessels (OSVs) for Turbine Transfers, based in Holyhead, United Kingdom. The catamarans will be used to transport service crews and equipment to offshore windfarms located off the coastlines of several European countries. Due for delivery in May 2012, the vessels will be built at Austal's Henderson shipyard in Western Australia.
Launched in mid-2010, Austal's Wind Express series features an advanced fine entry chine hull form that, in association with a high tunnel height, enables the vessels to operate at speeds of up to thirty knots with targeted seakeeping ability in up to two metres significant wave height. The vessels have an overall length of 21.30 metres, a moulded beam of 7.30 metres, a hull depth of 3.50 metres and a draught of approximately 1.40 metres, with a maximum deadweight of 12.5 tonnes. With a crew of three, the vessels can carry up to twelve personnel.
