Atlantic Pioneer, the first US-built offshore wind service vessel, will be delivered next week, after recently undergoing sea trials in gale force winds, according to Rhode Island Fast Ferry.
The 21-meter crew transfer vessel was built by the Rhode Island-based Blount Boats to service a 20-year crew transfer contract with Deepwater Wind for its 30MW Block Island offshore wind farm.
Atlantic Wind Transfers, Rhode Island Fast Ferry’s subsidiary and the first US offshore wind farm support company, invested over USD 4 million to build the vessel.
The company will also provide crew and equipment support during the construction phase of the Block Island OWF, starting from May 2016, when Atlantic Pioneer is expected to enter service.
Following completion of the five-turbine site, work will move into operations and maintenance support, to encompass a scheduled maintenance program as well as any additional crew transfer support required throughout the 20-year lifecycle of the first US offshore wind farm project.
Photos: Rhode Island Fast Ferry/Twitter