It is interesting how the design of SOVs develop over time as lessons are learned about the optimum way of doing things.
This design has full sized azimuth thrusters at the bow and stern, it looks like the ones at the bow are same as the ones at the stern so they will be proper full powered ones, not the drop down type that don’t have much power. It also has no tunnel thrusters at the bow.
Some benefits of this might be that the vessel will be able to manoeuvre around the windfarm without having to turn if they can go fast ahead and astern. Having no tunnel thrusters means there should also be less noise meaning crew and passengers get a better sleep, especially if the vessel is working 24/7.
On Monday, the vessel “Norwind Breeze” was christened in Brattvåg. It is originally a PSV that has now been converted into a service vessel specially adapted for work on offshore wind turbines.
PHOTO: STAALE WATTØ
This one belongs to a newly established local company in Ålesund, Norwind Offshore, owned by old players in the OSV market; the Farstad, Volstad and Kleven families.
They have also ordered 2 purpose built CSOVs + 2c options from Vard Those will be of the VARD 4 19 design, with the W2W-gangway near the midships point:
The vessels will be built at VARD Brattvåg and VARD Vung Tau.
Norwind Offshore is a newly established ship owning company that will offer specialized vessels designed for advanced maritime operations in the development and service of the offshore wind sector. The owners of Norwind Offshore have a long history in the offshore and maritime industry. Over several decades, VARD and the owners of the new company have developed a strong relationship through the building of a broad range of advanced offshore and specialized vessels.
Despite the fact that many had a holiday, more people showed up when Sunnmørsposten visited to take a picture of jubilation on Wednesday morning. In the foreground we see a carafe of elderberry juice on the table.
From left Trond Berg (CEO of Ulstein Power & Control), Vegard Moltu Nilsen (club leader in Fellesforbundet at Ulstein Verft), Ingvill Saunes (group lawyer in Ulstein Group ASA), Ann Katrin Barstad (design manager in Ulstein Design & Solutions) and Dagbjørn Myklebust (Head of Administration at Ulstein Elektro Installasjon).
PHOTO: EINAR ORTEN TROVÅG
No don’t worry, she is bound for Scotland on a long term contract, so not coming to the US to take none-existing work away from none-existing US-flag SOVs on Offshore Wind Farms that may never exist.
Looks like that gangway can be deployed on the port and starboard side which is a good thing. Having a gangway that can only be deployed on one side can limit the weather working limits of a SOV.
The PIONEERING SPIRIT seen here departed from Rotterdam Maasvlakte II heading for the Dolwin Windfarm off Germany.
The DOLWIN KAPPA jacket hanging on the jacket handling fram at the stern and the topsides on the “fingers” fwrd. ready to be installed on the jackets once piles have been driven, using the big crane to handle the hydraulic pile driver.
Photo: Gerrit Jan Postma (c)
PS> The Dolwin Kappa jacket and topsides were built at Dragados shipyard in Cádiz, Spain:
