South Boats Special Projects, based in the UK, has launched and commissioned its 43rd offshore wind farm crew transfer vessel, 'MPI Dorothea'. The vessel is a first-of-class South Catamaran 17-metre and is the first of a two-boat order from MPI Workboats to be delivered.
The South Catamaran 17-metre is a new model in the South Boats range designed to maximise deck area and seakeeping but with specific overall dimensions to ensure that the vessels are capable of working through the locks at Grimsby.
To achieve this, the 'MPI Dorothea' has an LOA of 17.5 metres, beam of 6.3 metres, draught of 0.95 metres and a lightship displacement of 30 tonnes. The deck and topside structure is extended aft over the water jets to provide full protection in confined operating areas. The vessel is configured with an aft of centre wheelhouse providing a 30m2 forward deck capable of carrying up to five tonnes of construction and operations and maintenance equipment coupled to a 24m2 aft deck capable of carrying a further two tonnes of equipment.
Powered by twin Scania DI16 43M 600kW diesel engines coupled to UJ452 water jet units, the vessel achieved a sprint speed of 25 knots in trials and is capable of cruising at speeds in excess of 22 knots in departure condition. A hydraulics system driven by both Twin Disc gearboxes powers a Palfinger PK4501M fully folding knuckle boom crane forward, 5.0-bar, 30,000-litre per hour fire pump, 1.5-tonne hydraulic capstan, 210-bar, 30-litre-per-minute pressure washer system and a 3.5tm3, 8.0-bar, 40-metre fuel transfer system. The integrated system offers full redundancy from two supplies.
In addition, the vessel also has an integral BETA Marine 3 Phase 148kVa generator and R Baker transformer capable of connecting 690V 4 Start Delta to the wind turbine generator for a complete commissioning solution. An ONAN 9.0kW 230V AC generator set supplies power to the vessel's ring main and AC services.
'MPI Dorothea' has a totally reworked interior arrangement with the entrance door aft giving plenty of space for changing with a hanging area and turbine spares lockers. Forward there are six crew seats to port arranged as three rows of two with the centre row facing aft with a table between and mirrored to starboard. A twin screen entertainment system is fitted with TV/DVD and forward looking cameras.
The bridge has a fully integrated Furuno Navnet 3D electronic suite comprising twin radars, twin chart plotters, video sounder, fully recording CCTV, low light camera, AIS, satellite compass, twin DSC radio's, load hailer, GPS and auto pilot. The bridge has heated forward screens to eliminate misting and overhead windows to give clear view of the transition piece.
All windows in the vessel are fully double glazed to eliminate condensation to provide the technicians with clear visibility out of the vessel and free standing air intake and air extraction systems for the machinery spaces and high tech anti noise and vibration matting minimise noise and vibration to the passenger saloon areas.
'MPI Dorothea' has started her contract on the Sheringham Shoal Offshore Wind Farm, where she be joined by her sister ship, 'MPI Dulcinea', in June.
