Scottish offshore service provider MarineCo UK has placed an order at Damen Shipyards for another two high-speed support vessels (HSSVs).
Since the delivery to MarineCo of 'MarineCo Shamal' last June and 'MarineCo Mariah' in December, Damen's first-ever HSSV2610 Twin Axe vessels have impressed their owners with their performance working on offshore wind farms. Recently, MarineCo took a client out to visit Sheringham Shoal Offshore Wind Farm in rough seas with waves of 1.5-2 metres. According to Managing Director Mike Conafray: "All the other crew transfer vessels were laid up awaiting better weather, but ours had no problem docking at the monopiles."
With the second vessel already on a long-term charter at a German wind farm, newbuilds three and four will likewise be committed to wind farm supply and maintenance. Damen has implemented several design changes for the new series in close cooperation with the client. The goal was to enable the HSSV (based on Damen's Fast Crew Supplier 2610) to stay out in the field for up to four days at a time. Noticeable design adaptations are a larger, 20,000-litre fuel tank to comfortably travel 1,200nm and transfer fuel to wind turbines, increased fresh water capacity (4,000 litres), 50 percent more accommodation and a larger bridge.
Engineers have their own mess room, there's sleeping accommodation for eight crew and transport capacity has grown to 12 passengers. There's even room for a client's office. In addition, bow thruster capacity has been enhanced. Besides the safe transfer of crew to wind turbines and hotel ships, it will be possible to dock smaller transfer vessels to the stern of the 2610.
Seakeeping behaviour and economical fuel consumption remain intact, as well as the ample working and storage deck with room for two twenty-foot containers, a 25-tonne deck crane and a spacious rescue platform. Classed by Bureau Veritas, the vessel operates under the Workboat Code, Category 1. Depending on the sea state, the maximum speed is 26 knots with a range of 1,200 nm.
The newbuilds are to be delivered in May and October 2012 and client MarineCo will present the new vessel end of May at Seawork 2012 in Southampton, UK.
