Blount Boats of Rhode Island has launched the second crewboat in a series ordered by American Offshore Services (AOS). Like earlier sister Gripper, Generater is a Jones Act-compliant aluminium catamaran built to support operations at offshore wind farms in the north-eastern United States.
Some notable features of the crewboat are its soft bow, carefully sculpted hull, and proprietary fenders. These will enable the vessel to work in higher sea states with better station-keeping ability when pushing onto turbine towers.
Whether remaining offshore for a week, or making multiple voyages in a day, the vessels are equipped to be self-sufficient and highly flexible. They will also offer enhanced efficiency and manoeuvrability, using only the power required in the current situation.
Generater has an LOA of 99 feet (30 metres), a beam of 36.7 feet (11.2 metres), an operational draught of 6.2 feet (1.9 metres), and seating for 24 offshore turbine technicians. Up to 20 tonnes of cargo or eight 10-foot containers can be carried on the open decks forward and aft of the superstructure.
