WindCat 101 is the latest addition to WindCat Workboats’ fleet. She is one of three new vessels taken into service by WindCat Workboats in May 2011 and the first in the Mark 4 series.
This new type of vessel has been developed to fulfil the need for a vessel with a higher speed, larger carrying capacity and extended operational range giving increased accessibility to offshore assets.
Extensive trials on several different European Offshore Wind Farms have shown that WindCat 101 can significantly increase accessibility to an offshore asset because of the excellent seagoing capabilities in adverse weather conditions and the capability to transfer up to 45 passengers safely in seas in excess of 2 meter.
The design of the vessel incorporates WindCat Workboat’s experience gained over the last 9 years of operation and over 350.000 transfers. This has resulted in a truly unique vessel setting the standard for further offshore crew transfer vessels.
Besides transferring personnel and equipment to offshore assets the vessel can be used to transfer fuel, support diving operations or ornithological studies, as a survey vessel, standby vessel or emergency response vessel.
WindCat 101 has a length of 27 meters and beam of 9 meters. This gives space to carry a 10 or 20 ft container on the foredeck, a 10 ft container on the aft deck and enough space in the accommodation for 45 passengers.
The accommodation is specially designed to give space and comfort exceeding normal levels. The passenger space has a seating arrangement which can be adjusted to the clients requirements and is equipped with three televisions, DVD, Playstation and Wireless Satellite Internet.
WindCat 101 is the first vessel of this size built for the offshore industry under the High Speed Craft Code, classed as a passenger vessel. This means the vessel is built and equipped to a very high safety standard, which, together with ISM certification, ensures a high level of safety for its passengers and the environment.
The efficient vessel, designed to give a low fuel consumption, incorporates four MTU engines (V8 2000 M72) propelling two variable pitch propellers. She reaches a top speed of over 30 knots and is very suitable for offshore transfers in harsher conditions. The vessel has a high level of redundancy with four separate engine rooms and a fully doubled up bridge.
After very successful trials on several offshore wind farms, where the vessel has performed above expectation, we received very positive feedback. The vessel will start working in June with operations on the Greater Gabbard Offshore Wind Farm.
WindCat Workboats continues to develop, build and operate offshore crew transfer vessels to fit the requirements of the industry, with 27 vessels in operation, ongoing new buildings and several designs in development.
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Source: windcatworkboats, June 08, 2011