Massachusetts-based Imtra has recently delivered a searchlight, wipers and LED lights to the first US-flagged offshore wind farm crew transfer vessel (CTV) – the Atlantic Pioneer.
Imtra has supplied the Colorlight CL20 high-output searchlight, Decca Straight Line wiper system, and LED deck, interior and engine room lights for the Blount Boats-built, 69-foot CTV.
The vessel was locally built in Rhode Island and has been delivered to its operator, Atlantic Wind Transfers which is based in Quonset Point, Rhode Island. Atlantic Wind Transfers is the first offshore wind farm support company in the United States, and will provide transfer services for GE technicians and supplies to the 30MW Block Island offshore wind farm.
Block Island will be the country’s first offshore wind farm — it is currently under construction by Deepwater Wind off the coast of Rhode Island, and will be fully serviced by the Atlantic Pioneer.
“We are proud to help outfit the very first U.S. offshore wind farm CTV,” said Eric Braitmayer, CEO, Imtra.
“The Colorlight CL20 is a powerful searchlight, offering tremendous operational freedom through its unlimited movement design, while the Decca wipers and IMTRA LED lights set the standard for performance and reliability. We are privileged to have been selected to supply this vessel and to work so closely with Blount Boats. We know our products won’t let them down.”
A twin-hulled, aluminum catamaran, the Atlantic Pioneer is under license from South Boats IOW in the UK. It will be dual-certified by the US Coast Guard to carry either offshore workers or traditional ferry passengers.
Designed to carry up to 12 tons of cargo in the bow, three tons of cargo in the stern and has a crane fitted onto the bow, the vessel also has a specially designed rubber fender at the bow that helps it stay in contact with the wind tower while personnel are transferring. Using two MAN Diesel engines to drive Hamilton waterjets, the vessel will cruise at a speed of more than 27 knots.