Spanish firm unveils design images of new windfarm support SOV

Spanish naval architecture firm Seaplace has been working on a new design of service operation vessel (SOV) focused on supporting activities in the floating wind sector.

The 75-metre SOV is being developed as part of the e-PROA project, an R&D funding project led by the Spanish Industrial Technological Development Center and supported by the Ministry of Science and Innovation.

The aim of the project is to create a digital platform for the operation and maintenance of floating wind farms. The solution will be based on a predictive AI-based digital twin to optimise wind farm operation and maintenance activities, an SOV for wind farm maintenance, and a remotely operated vehicle (ROV) prototype for wind farm cable inspection and maintenance.

The SOV has been designed with the aim of performing standard operations and maintenance tasks including the safe transfer of personnel to the platforms for maintenance and troubleshooting, but also new tasks such as maintenance and inspection of anchors, mooring lines, dynamic cables and floating wind foundation equipment such as ballast tanks. The design therefore integrates a drone deck and hangar, a LARS to deploy ROVs, a crew transfer gangway near the stern, and equipment to retension lines.

The SOV will also be capable of low emissions thanks to the installation of 5MWh battery pack and engines that can be configured to also run on green ammonia and green methanol. Accommodation will be available for 20 crewmembers and up to 40 additional personnel.