Press release -
Wind service operation vessels are floating workshops and offices
ESVAGT’s two new service operation vessels will function as top modern workshops, stores, offices and accommodation for technicians in the offshore wind farms. Transfers by boat or stabilized gangway.
It should preferably be spinning all the time in the offshore wind industry, and therefore effective turbine service and quick repairs are in high demand.
At the same time it is important that the service people have easy access to both turbines and spare parts – and put together, this is some of the reason that ESVAGT has now signed a contract to deliver service operation vessels to Siemens Wind Power in the wind farms Baltic 2 and Butendiek.
- We are featuring a concept that both shortens the time of the technicians in transit and increases the possibilities on the location, says the Chartering Department:
- As the offshore wind farms are getting built further out on the sea, transit time becomes more and more important. When a technician e.g. is going to Horns Rev 1, it will be about one and a half hours’ transport by CTV each way – that is tiring for the technician and ineffective for the maintenance of the turbines. We present a different solution where the vessels will serve as floating workshops, stores and offices as well as offering accommodation for the technicians on board and where the transfers are made by boat or via a stabilized gangway.
Sufficient gear and equipment on board
Transit time is an argument for having a vessel on the location. Another is to have spare parts and workshop facilities nearby.
- When an offshore wind farm is to be serviced, it requires gear and spare parts that will meet the need of most scenarios. Therefore the quarterdeck of ESVAGT’s new wind turbine vessels will be built with space for even quite large spare parts, and under deck there will be space for six 20-foot containers that can be used for equipment, spare parts etc. A workshop will be set up with good working space and all the facilities you could wish for. It will be a floating workshop and stores, and a quick reaction is possible – also to acute problems.
Add to this accommodation facilities that do not lack any comfort. There are 60 single rooms, and several lounges for leisure and relaxation, fitness options and meeting facilities with e.g. video conference, so that offices onshore and offshore can plan the work together.
Transfer by boat or walk-to-work gangway
Focus point for the work will be an afternoon or an evening meeting where the technicians on board will plan the next day’s tasks and subsequently coordinate with the crew so that teams can be formed, tools and gear packed for the next day’s job and to have the vessel at the right place from the early morning.
- A team will typically consist of two or three technicians who are transferred to the turbine where they will work all day until they are picked up. The vessel can move around in the farm and will always be close to both work place and spare parts.
The transfers can be done by STB 7 or STB 12 (Safe Transfer Boat) or via the specially constructed gangway that has been stabilized to follow the movements of the sea.
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ESVAGT is a dedicated provider of safety and support at sea, founded on an experienced and well-trained offshore crew and unmatched rescue capabilities.
We support the offshore Oil & Gas industries with a wide range of specialized services: Standby, Emergency Response and Resque Vessels (ERRV), Oil spill response, Firefighting, Tanker assists, Rig moves, Supply services and Interfield transfer of cargo and personnel.
In 2010, ESVAGT brought the dedicated offshore wind Service Operation Vessels (SOV) to the market. The SOVs provide accommodation for up to 40 technicians, storage for small turbine parts and a workshop, plus personnel and equipment transfer capabilities by either Walk-to-Work gangway system or Safe Transfer Boats.
ESVAGT was founded in 1981 and has a fleet of more than 40 vessels and more than 900 employees on- and offshore.
