VESSEL REVIEW | Boreas Worker – New daughtercraft delivered to Norway’s Edda Wind

UK builder Alicat Workboats has handed over the first vessel in a new series of daughtercraft/crewboats ordered by Norwegian offshore support company Edda Wind. Designed by UK naval architecture firm Chartwell Marine, Boreas Worker will be operated by Edda Wind in support of the Dogger Bank offshore wind farm in the UK sector of the North Sea.

The near-shore-capable daughtercraft has a length of 12 metres, a beam of 4.2 metres, a draught of only 0.6 metre, a displacement of 10.3 tonnes, and capacity for 12 personnel. It will be capable of deployment from Edda Wind’s existing fleet of hydrogen-ready commissioning service operation vessels (CSOVs) and accommodation platforms during extended offshore stays.

Chartwell Marine said the craft was designed in response to the need in the offshore wind support market for a low-emission, cost-effective vessel with a catamaran’s optimised hull form offering efficient fuel use as well as stability and manoeuvrability in choppy waters.

The vessel is powered by two OXE 223kW diesel outboard engines, though the design may also be configured to accommodate electric outboards to allow hybrid operations. Chartwell Marine said that the hybrid outboard configuration allows the operator to select the most effective and efficient propulsion system depending on the vessel’s operational load case and task. This results in a reduction in fuel burn, allowing CO2 emissions to remain within a standard operational profile.

When compared to existing 12-metre catamarans fitted with diesel inboard engines and waterjet propulsion, the vessel fuel burn can be reduced by as much as 38 per cent. The designer said this is a result of vessel displacement, hull form design, and the use of electric propulsion for slow-speed operations.

The electronics suite includes a Furuno radar.

Boreas Worker was constructed on behalf of Spanish shipyard Astilleros Gondan, which is building the new Edda Wind CSOVs.

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