Page 39: of Marine News Magazine (July 2005)

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When one hears "offshore energy" in the marine sector, it is the petroleum industry that comes most readily to mind.

Now a Shetland vessel chartering compa- ny has taken delivery of a boat with spe- cialized equipment to support the mainte- nance of offshore wind-powered electrical generating units. Serving a function simi- lar to that of Gulf of Mexico jack-up boats, the new vessel has two 15-m spud legs to hold it in position while servicing the wind mills. The portside push bows have a gap to suit the four-meter base of wind-farm piles, allowing the vessel to push up against the pile without fear of sliding off. The harder you push, the less motion is felt at the bow of the vessel therefore allowing the safe transfer of per- sonnel and heavy parts, gearboxes or motors which typically weight 6.5 tons.

With UK Governments committed to generating 15 percent of electricity from renewable sources by 2015 significant growth is expected in the off shore wind- farm market. A representative of Delta

Marine, has said, "We have previously undertaken work on offshore wind-farms in Denmark and off the English coast but found our current fleet not ideally suited to the work. The Voe Viking will give us greater flexibility and allow us to take on other aspects of the construction and maintenance of offshore projects."

Launched from the Damen shipyard at

Hardinxveld, the Netherlands, the boat is built on their Damen Multi Cat 2611 design. The 85 x 37.7 ft. (26 x 11.5-m) vessel is designed to be extremely versa- tile with capabilities in anchor handling, dredger service, supply, towing, hose han- dling, survey and ship assist. Towing power for the vessel, which is rated with a 33-ton bollard pull, is provided by three

Cummins KTA38 M0 delivering a total of 1791 bkW at 1800 rpm to Reintjes WAF 464 gears with 6:1 reductions and turning 1700 mm propellers in nozzles. The triple engine configuration delivers large power while maintaining a shallow 2.25-m draft for inshore work. The triple engine con- figuration allows great versatility in that the two outside engines are used for close and harbor maneuvering while all three can be used for towing and for traveling light, the center-line engine delivers ade- quate power for hull speed providing green fuel economy.

Circle 77 on Reader Service Card

Circle 239 on Reader Service Card

Versatile Boat With Specialized Options

July, 2005 • MarineNews 39

Main Particulars

Length, o.a. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .85 ft.

Beam, o.a. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .37.7 ft.

Depth at sides . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .11.5 ft.

Draft aft . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .± 7.4 ft.

Displacement . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .515 ton (m)

Bollard pull . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .± 33 tons

Speed . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .± 10 knots

Main engines . . . . . . . . . .3 x Cummins KTA 38M0

Total power . . . . . . . . . . . .1791 bkW at 1800 rpm

Gearboxes . . . . . . .3 x Reintjes WAF 464 5,591:1

Propulsion . . . . . . . .3 x FPP in nozzles, 1700 mm

Gen sets . .2 x Cummins 6 BT 5.9-D 89 kVA each

Hydraulic power . . . . . . .Cummins N14-M 400 kW

Deck cranes . .2 x Effer 180,000 3S, 10T at 16 m

Towing hook . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .1 x Mampaey 33 T

Capstan . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .5 tons

Radar . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2 x Furuno FR 1505 MKIII

Compass . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Observator MKIV

Gyro compass . . . . . . . . . . . .Tokimec ESN.110 N

Echosounder . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Furuno FCV 581

D-GPS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Furuno GP - 80

GPS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Furuno GP - 33

GPS Chart Plotter . . . . . . . . . . .Seiwa Barramundi

Autopilot . . . . . . . . . .Radio Zeeland, Sea Pilot 75

Nav-tex . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Furuno NX 500

VHF . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2 x Sailor RT 4822 / DSC

VHF H/Held . . . . . . . . . . . . .3 x Water proof ICOM

Inmarsat-C . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Furuno Felcom 15

SSB . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Yaesu - FRG 100

U.P.S. system . . . . . . . . . . . . .APC 1600W - 220V

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