Modern crew transport vessels for offshore wind farms
Sketch of the SeaStrider
The SeaStrider, which will be deployed for the transport of personnel and cargo to offshore wind farms and for the transit between the towers, is the first carbon-fibre SWATH (small waterplane area twin hull)-vessel to be built at the Skagen-based shipyard.
The new vessel has already been tank-tested to significant wave heights, permitting operation in almost all weather conditions, while maintaining safety and comfort, according to the shipyard.
The vessels will have an overall length of 25m and a beam of 10.6m, providing space for 24 passengers and five crew members.
Initially, the high-speed craft will carry the construction teams to and fro the installation sites of offshore wind farms, and then the maintenance and emergency repair teams.
SeaStrider is said to have a good manoeuvrability in high winds using precision controls to ensure safe placement of the turbine maintenance teams onto the wind tower dock at the base of the turbine. In addition for passenger and crew safety of transfer to the platform, the vessel will be fitted with the base for use of a gyro transfer gangway on the transom. The SWATH design has a clear bridge area with good all-round vision, boasts comfortable seating and dining areas for passengers, at the same time providing comfortable crew sleeping quarters with three single and one double cabin.
The SeaStrider is fitted with specially designed brackets for a single-point lift, providing a “one wire” lift, either on land or on a larger platform at sea. Once ashore, SeaStrider can be placed on a flat surface, without the need for any supports or a cradle.
