New joint venture for effective North Sea crew changes
The collaboration will see the introduction of a new service to the offshore access market that combines the engineering feats of Damen’s FCS 7011 Aqua Helix with the S-type motion-compensated gangway system from Ampelmann (Source: Damen)
Damen Shipyards and Ampelmann have set up a new joint venture, OceanXpress, to provide fast and efficient offshore crew changes in the North Sea. Kicking off the new operation is Damen’s Fast Crew supplier (FCS) 7011, Aqua Helix, equipped with an Ampelmann S-type motion-compensated gangway.
The height-adjustable telescopic gangway, capable of reaching 19m above sea level, will enable the 120-person Aqua Helix to undertake rapid crew changes, the partners said. The vessel will service a number of offshore installations during one round trip from the Port of Den Helder.
With service speeds of up to 40 knots and manned by experienced personnel from Wagenborg Offshore, the Aqua Helix has now completed offshore commissioning. Its axe bow reduces slamming and enables high speeds, even in rough conditions, as personnel are transported in business-class seating. A large gyro stabiliser cuts rolling by about 90%, and four MTU engines provide power for water jets.
