Royal IHC’s autonomous windfarm service vessel completes DP tests

Royal IHC and Maritime Research Institute Netherlands (MARIN) have completed testing and assessment of the onboard dynamic positioning (DP) system of the autonomous windfarm service vessel T60-18.

The tests were carried out in MARIN’s basins in Wageningen, wherein the vessel was subjected to simulated challenging environmental conditions similar to those in the central North Sea with three- to 3.5-metre significant wave heights.

Development of the vessel is scheduled to be completed in December 2020, by which time Royal IHC expects training of future crews will commence using a new dedicated simulator.

Once in service, the vessel will be able to function autonomously with the aid of its onboard software though a duty officer at the wheelhouse will supervise operations for safety purposes.