Scottish offshore service provider MarineCo UK has placed an order at Damen Shipyards for two more High Speed Support Vessels (HSSVs).

Since taking delivery of Damen’s first-ever HSSV 2610 Twin Axe in June and the second one in the last week of December, the MarineCo Shamal and MarineCo Mariah have shown striking performance when working on offshore wind farms, according to Managing Director Mike Conafray. “I truly believe that this vessel will become the mainstay of the wind farm industry in the years to come. It is the best boat in generations!”

Offshore Wind

Recently, MarineCo took a client out to visit Sheringham Shoal Offshore Wind Farm in rough seas with 1.5 to 2 m waves. Mr Conafray says:”All the other crew transfer vessels were laid up awaiting better weather, but ours had no problem docking at the monopiles.” With the second vessel already on a long term charter at a German wind farm, newbuilds three and four will likewise be committed to wind farm supply and maintenance. Already, a number of major offshore wind project developers have personally visited the 26 x 10 m catamaran. Conafray: “We receive emails all the time from potential charterers. The Marineco Mariah was contracted for a three-year charter deal before she was even launched!”

Damen implemented several design changes for the new series in close cooperation with the client. The goal was to enable the HSSV (based on Damen’s Fast Crew Supplier 2610) to stay out in the field for up to four days at a time. Conafray: “We always wanted the vessel to fulfil four functions: to be able to provide fuel supplies, to carry out survey work, diving and support work and to be able to clean monopiles. This vessel can do all four.”

Innovations & improvements

Noticeable design adaptations are a larger, 20,000 litre fuel tank to comfortably travel 1,200 nm and transfer fuel to wind turbines, increased fresh water capacity (4,000 litres), 50% more accommodation and a larger bridge.

Engineers have their own mess room, there’s sleeping accommodation for 8 crew and transport capacity has grown to 12 passengers. There’s even room for a client’s office. In addition, bow thruster capacity has been enhanced. Besides the safe transfer of crew to wind turbines and hotel ships, it will be possible to dock smaller transfer vessels to the stern of the 2610.

HSSV 2610’s seakeeping behaviour and economical fuel consumption remain intact, as well as the ample working and storage deck with room for two 20 ft containers, a 25 t deck crane and a spacious rescue platform. Classed by Bureau Veritas, the vessel operates under the Workboat Code, Category 1. Depending on the sea state, the maximum speed is 26 knots with a range of 1,200 nm.

Seawork 2012

The newbuilds are to be delivered in May and October 2012 and client MarineCo will present the new vessel end of May at Seawork 2012 (Port of Southampton, UK). Including the HSSV Shamal, Damen Shipyards has delivered a total of eight vessels for MarineCo. On this cooperation, Mr Conafray comments: “Damen Gorinchem was very accommodating, it was really a good service and even though it is a large yard we were never just a number. As to the HSSV 2610, the crew, the clients and technicians all love her and everyone wants to captain her.”