Damen unveils electric FCS at Seawork
The new FCS design was presented at Seawork in Southampton
(Source: Damen)
Damen has chosen the Seawork show in the UK’s Southampton to release details of a fully electric Fast Crew Supplier (FCS) vessel. The FCS 3210 E has been developed in response to calls for a larger crew transfer vessel and is based on the company’s FCS 2710, featuring the same combination of Damen’s Axe Bow hull shape with a rounded tunnel.
The extra length not only affords more space but also improves seakeeping performance. The vessel has low resistance and reduced wet deck slamming as well as a larger deckhouse and more deck capacity. Uptime is increased as a result.
Soon after the introduction of the FCS 3210, the company received an order for three diesel-electric versions from Purus, a UK-based offshore service vessel operator. Now, Damen has taken the next step with a fully electric, zero emission version.
Equipped with a Volvo Penta IPS system which can operate entirely on battery power, the FCS 3210 E can sail at high speeds to offshore facilities up to 25 nautical miles from shore. On arrival, it can recharge at a charging system integrated into a turbine, or a substation or service operation vessel before returning to shore.
If operators wish to work further from shore, Damen will soon be able to provide a methanol-powered version of the FCS 3210. So far, the engine technology enabling a vessel in this power range of use methanol is still being developed but when it becomes available the company plans to launch an FCS 3210 Hybrid.
Damen’s Win Boerma, product manager High Speed Craft, said: “Our crew transfer portfolio has been continually evolving since its introduction. Now, with increasing focus on sustainability, we have developed a fully electric version to enable zero emissions operations. The FCS 3210 E draws on the proven performance of its predecessors and applies the lessons learned in our development of a number of fully electric vessels.”
He continued: “The challenge of preparing vessels for alternative propulsion often lies in knowing what fuels will be available and affordable in the future. For a vessel such as this, operating a predictable route to a location with an abundance of clean energy, the solution is clear. With the FCS 3210 E, operators can access the crew transfer vessel of the future today. The technology is fully developed and we are ready to build. All we need now is an order.”
