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The Next Generation of Offshore Crew Change
Damen FCS 7011 ‘Aqua Helix’ leaving Port of Rotterdam for sea trials
New modes of fast, reliable and fuel efficient transport for offshore crew and provisions promise to boost offshore energy operations. Vessels that sail at high speed even in the roughest conditions and that are able to provide safe and easy transfer from ship to offshore stations offer crew welfare at increased passenger capacity with a comfortable ride.
The range of Fast Crew Suppliers (FCS) from Damen Shipyards offers crew transfer vessels that are able to sail at speeds up to 40 knots and conquer waves at significant wave heights up to 3 meters, typically the North Sea conditions at the more windy days. It is the Axe Bow that enables the largest crew supply vessel to date, the FCS 7011, to power up the waterjets to reach such impressive speed in waves. Likewise, the twin axe bow design of the FCS2710 ensures seaworthiness at speed in rough conditions. Both vessels are purpose designed to offer very comfortable crew transport at impressively modest fuel consumption and emissions. Proof of concept By the end of March 2022, the all new FCS7011 ‘Aqua Helix’ completed the first actual transfer of offshore crew to an
offshore substation in the North Sea. The final testing to demonstrate the proof of concept of the 120 passenger vessel follows extensive sea trials and testing of the onboard Ampelmann stabilized gangway. The fast monohull FCS7011 (length over all = 73.6 meters, beam = 11.2 meters) is built in aluminium. The weight reduction achieved by choosing this lightweight metal makes it possible to sail at the high speed required with acceptable fuel consumption. The axe bow greatly reduces slamming and pitching. The slender hull tends to roll when the boat is stopped or sails slowly. The biggest gyro stabilizer in the world reduces rolling at zero speed down to 10 per cent of the motions that would occur without stabilization. When the FCS7011 positions itself along a platform or station at sea where the transported offshore workers need to
step on to, the Ampelmann gangway can swing out over a 180 degree scope. This allows the vessel to position itself with a favorable heading regarding the incoming wind and waves. The gangway extends to a length of 26 meter. Gyroscope-fed computer technology enables the Ampelmann S-type stabilized gangway to be completely motionless in front of the platform balcony, so the offshore workers can step over with great ease, even in harsh and remote offshore locations. Major offshore energy players like Shell and Exxon provided input that inspired Damen engineers to develop the FCS7011. Damen and Ampelmann join forces to operate this game changer in offshore crew transport in-house. The passenger capacity of 120 persons is bigger than the typical crew change at North Sea platforms. Thanks to it’s
