With crewboats being among the smallest and perhaps least complex vessels in the offshore segment, it comes as no surprise that their numbers worldwide have been increasing at a faster pace compared to larger vessels such as PSVs, installation vessels, drillships, and accommodation platforms. Thus, the diminutive but fast and highly versatile boats once again take centre stage in this week's roundup of offshore vessel orders and deliveries.
World's first hybrid surface effect ship enters service with CWind
CWind recently took delivery of CWind Pioneer, the world's first hybrid-powered surface effect ship (SES).
A hybrid diesel and battery electric power system enables the vessel to operate purely on battery power while in harbour or at standby in the wind farm, resulting in a decrease in fuel burn and CO2.
With surface effect hull form and heave compensation technology, CWind Pioneer can operate at speeds exceeding 43.5 knots, and can transit and transfer safely in sea states in excess of 1.8m Hs, while minimising motion and acceleration through its air-cushion motion control system, resulting in a smoother, more comfortable ride for the crew and up to 24 technicians.
The hybrid SES propulsion engine delivers sprint speed and extreme bollard push, from its 1,600kW installed diesel engines, which can be battery boosted up to 1,800 kW.
The vessel will be used at the Borssele 1 and 2 offshore wind farms through a long-term charter contract agreement with Ørsted.
CWind Pioneer was built by UK's Wight Shipyard and was developed in partnership with Norwegian naval architects ESNA.
Centus Marine orders crewboat pair from Singapore yard
Singapore's Strategic Marine has secured a contract to build two 42-metre fast crewboats for Malaysian operator Centus Marine. These will be the fifth and sixth vessels built by Strategic Marine for the same customer.
Both crewboats are scheduled for completion in the second quarter of 2021 and the fourth quarter of 2021, respectively.
Each crewboat will be powered by three Cummins KTA50 engines that will deliver a top speed of over 31 knots. The accommodation areas will feature 12 berths in seven cabins and can comfortably accommodate up to 100 personnel on board.
There will also be business class recliner seats, dedicated luggage racks, a large, incorporated deck storage and wide, efficient walkways to facilitate crew transfer amid demanding offshore conditions.
Three more vessels to join High Speed Transfers' fleet
Welsh operator High Speed Transfers (HST) has confirmed its order for three new crewboats that will be designed by two separate UK companies.
Two of the crewboats will be 30-metre vessels designed by Bar Technologies while the third will be a 24-metre hybrid vessel developed by Chartwell Marine. HST said that, despite being designed by different companies, all three vessels will feature a similar bridge, seating, and console layout to ensure improved operational familiarity for crew and passengers.
Aqueos acquires multi-purpose vessel
US-based marine construction company Aqueos Corporation has completed the acquisition of Sea Scout, a new catamaran multi-purpose service vessel (MPSV).
The locally-built, 40- by 11-metre vessel has accommodations for up to 22 passengers and four crewmembers, a cargo deck capacity of 37.5 tonnes, and four Caterpillar engines that deliver a transit speed of 26 knots at full load and a maximum speed of 28 knots.
The vessel's functions include crew transfer, light construction, ROV operations, survey operations, and dive support. It can also operate as a mother ship for a small rigid inflatable boat (RIB).
Opus Marine's newest crewboats to support Ørsted's Taiwan operations
Hamburg-based operator Opus Marine will soon take delivery of two new crewboats from Singapore's Penguin International shipyard.
The Incat Crowther-designed Valkyrie and Wotan each have a length of 27 metres, a beam of nine metres, business class seating for 24 personnel, and amenities including multiple showers, toilets, and lockers as well as two single cabins for the crew. Two working decks have space for a deck crane and up to five containers total.
Power will be provided by four Scania DI16 077M 662kW engines driving HamiltonJet 521 propulsion units to deliver speeds of up to 30 knots.
The vessels also each have a HamiltonJet station-keeping system.
Valkyrie and Wotan will soon begin supporting Ørsted's activities in Taiwan.
Italy's Lighthouse to get new survey AUV
Italian survey company Lighthouse will take delivery of a Kongsberg Maritime Hugin autonomous underwater vehicle (AUV) before the end of the month.
The AUV will have a maximum rated operating depth of 4,500 metres and a full Kongsberg geophysical survey payload including a synthetic aperture sonar, a multi-beam echosounder, a sub-bottom profiler, a camera, a laser, and a range of environmental sensors.
The scope of supply extends to all equipment required for day-to-day operations, including an AUV container housing the launch and recovery system, battery chargers, and maintenance equipment. An operations room container will be configured for mission planning and dive management as well as data download and review.
