What is thought to be the world's smallest surface effect ship (SES) workboat is being built in Denmark for operation on wind farms.
The 15.8-metre-long Sea Puffin is being constructed for Wind Partner, which plans to charter the boat to operators.
Developed by Norwegian naval architects Espeland & Skomedal (ESNA), Sea Puffin features a catamaran hull with fabric skirts enclosing the air cushion between the hulls. It is designed to be capable of being launched with a standard 15-tonne single point davit system.
Sea Puffin is powered by a pair of 230kW diesel engines that are coupled to water jets. These will give a speed of 25 knots.
In addition to transferring technicians to wind farm turbines, the SES is also capable of carrying cargo. It will have a range of 150 nautical miles.
