VESSEL REVIEW | TSM Windcat 52 – New crewboat to support France’s Saint-Brieuc wind farm

Rouen, Normandy-based TSM Windcat, the joint venture company formed by French marine services provider Thomas Services Maritmes (TSM) and Dutch operator Windcat Workboats, has taken delivery of its second HSC-compliant, French-flagged crewboat capable of carrying 26 technicians.

The Bureau Veritas-classed catamaran newbuild TSM Windcat 52 measures 23.94 by 7.3 metres and has a draught of 2.2 metres. As with other crewboats from the same series, the hull and the wheelhouse are made from aluminium while the passenger cabin is of carbon fibre composite construction. The crewboat's hull was built in France while the final equipment was installed in the Netherlands by local shipyard Neptune Marine.

The passenger cabin features a lounge-type interior and also has galley facilities with a coffee maker, a flat screen television, a gaming console, a shower, and a toilet. There is also a storage compartment and a heated drying area for overalls.

Power is provided by two MAN D286LE428 diesel engines that each produce 749 kW and are connected to controllable-pitch propellers via Servogear gearboxes. The engines are also IMO Tier III-compliant to allow a significant reduction of CO2 and NOx emissions. A maximum speed of 31 knots can be achieved though sailings will regularly be done at service speeds of 25 to 27 knots. The engines can also deliver a bollard push of 13 tonnes.

The foredeck has a total area of 51 square metres while another 11 square metres of space is available at the stern. These two spaces can accommodate various payloads totalling 10 tonnes. The deck equipment includes a Guerra crane and two 4.5-tonne winches with guide rollers and associated hydraulic systems, two winch strops with associated rope tails, and underdeck welded pad eye attachment points. The vessel also has a hydraulic-driven pressure washing system with built-in sea suction.

The vessel's communications and navigation suite includes two Sailor 6222 VHF radios, a radio and two radars from JRC, and an ECDIS.

The crewboat is adequately equipped for dealing with emergencies. Lifejackets are available for all 26 passengers and three crewmembers while two liferafts can each accommodate 35 people. There is also a category C first aid kit and a defibrillator. The engine rooms have fire-suppression systems installed while 14 handheld extinguishers are also available on board.

TSM Windcat 52 has been operating in support of the Saint-Brieuc offshore wind farm on behalf of Iberdrola subsidiary Ailes Marines since the beginning of March 2022.

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