VESSEL REVIEW | Sanxia Yun Wei 001 – China Three Gorges Group puts new SWATH crewboat into service

China’s Zhongshan Aolong Shipyard has delivered a new windfarm crewboat to local shipowner the China Three Gorges Group for operation by its China Three Gorges New Energy division.

The all-aluminium Sanxia Yun Wei 001 (“Three Gorges Operation and Maintenance 001”) has a prominent hybrid catamaran and SWATH (CAT-SWATH) design to enable the vessel to operate safely under a wider range of sea states compared to traditional catamaran crewboats. The design also helps reduce a typical pitch range of two or three metres to only one metre, ensuring greater safety for technicians during transfers to and from wind turbines.

The crewboat was designed by a subsidiary of the China Shipbuilding Group in compliance to China Classification Society (CCS) rules. CCS said the vessel is also the first CAT-SWATH dual-mode, windfarm maintenance support vessel to be built and operated in China.

Measuring 32.5 by 11.6 metres and displacing approximately 200 tonnes, the newbuild can transport windfarm technicians and cargo at speeds of up to 25 knots in catamaran mode and 20 knots in SWATH mode. The propulsion system includes joystick-controlled waterjets.

Sanxia Yun Wei 001 may also be used for standby and rescue duties thanks to its high transit speeds, enhanced stability, and large carrying capacity.

Click here for more news stories, feature articles, and vessel reviews as part of this month’s focus on offshore vessels.