offshore crew transfer
Because of its motion-damped handling characteristics, the CTV will be able to outperform much larger vessels.
Surface effect vessel FirST Hybrid SurFaCE EFFECT CTV FOr THE OFFSHOrE SECTOr
WigHT SHipyard CO HaS bEEN CONTraCTEd TO build THE FirST Hybrid SurFaCE EFFECT SHip (SES) dEdiCaTEd TO OFFSHOrE CrEW TraNSFErS. THE SES was designed specifically for the offshore sector, as it can handle 2m significant wave height during personnel transfer in heavy seas. All imAges COurTESy OF WigHT SHipyard.
Upon completion in mid-2020, the CTV will commence operations from Vlissingen to the Borssele 1 & 2 windfarm.
T
he surface effect CTV’s benefits are twofold. The vessel is able to transfer technicians in fairly heavy sea states, due to its motion-damped handling characteristics, while boasting lower fuel consumption and CO2 emissions. The propulsion engine delivers sprint speed and extreme bollard push from its 1,600kW installed diesel engines, which can be battery boosted up to 1,878kW. The SES’s combination of electric infrastructure and battery availability allows for immediate power delivery, coupled with greater fuel efficiency.
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Significant fuel savings will be achieved through balancing engine and inefficient low engine power running hours, with battery drive modes including windfarm standby and low speed/harbour operations. This can lead to an engine operating hour reduction of 50% during windfarm battery standby. digitalisation will be built into the hybrid SES so that machine learning begins from the day it sets sail, allowing the crew to make operational decisions and judgements based on both data collected over time and their own experience.
Catamaran characteristics
The CTV was ordered by CWind, who have built a reputation in the fast ferry arena and commercial marine sector. The concept was developed by CWind in partnership with ESNa, a ship design company based in Kristiansand, Norway, which specialises in commercially competitive vessels with surface effect technology to deliver significant carbon reductions. The hybrid SES consists of two catamaran hulls, with the area between the hulls closed by flexible reinforced rubber fingers in the bow and an inflated rubber bag in the
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