VESSEL REVIEW | Gripper – Fast crewboat to serve US East Coast offshore wind clients

American Offshore Services (AOS), an offshore vessel operator based in Providence, Rhode Island, has taken delivery of a new crewboat built by Blount Boats in nearby Warren. Gripper is a Jones Act-compliant aluminium catamaran built to support Ørsted and Eversource's growing portfolio of offshore wind farms in the north-eastern US.

The crewboat will be berthed at Ørsted's Operations Hub at Quonset Point, and will transport wind service technicians safely to projects at sea. It will operate further out to sea, around 10 to 20 miles (16 to 32 kilometres) southeast of Block Island.

Reliable operation year-round

The vessel 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.

"As AOS sister company Northern Offshore Services worked towards designing its own vessels, lessons learned and knowledge of both the shipping and the offshore wind industry resulted in a new class of crewboats, of which Gripper is the first one to be delivered in the United States," Michael Burbelo, Managing Director of AOS, told Baird Maritime. "From the knowledge gathered from all the vessels that NOS has built for the European market, the new series is now perfectly fitted for American waters for American technicians and crew. All the necessary upgrades have been incorporated, and since it is a flexible platform, it is also ready to meet future demands."

Burbelo said the primary design of the crewboat focuses on its soft bow and proprietary fenders, which are part of a system developed by NOS. This fender system allows the vessel to work in higher sea-states with better station-keeping ability when pushing onto turbine generators out at sea.

"Everything from the bow's incorporation into the hull, to the design and the material that the fenders are made from, has been specially designed by the NOS R&D team over the last decade."

The crewboat is designed to carry 24 technicians and their equipment out to an offshore wind farm. Whether it remains offshore for a week, or sails on multiple voyages in the same day, the vessel is equipped to be self-sufficient and highly flexible.

"Offshore wind farms are dependent on technicians being transported rapidly to specific towers for maintenance," said Burbelo. "It is therefore important that they can rely on the vessel and its crew that they go out with. It is also important that these technicians be transferred in a safe and rapid manner, 365 days a year."

Configured for low-emission technologies

Burbelo remarked that, from an industry standpoint, there is a shortage of vessels across the board. Crewboats are unique in that they are to support the personnel, not just the operation and construction. The vessel entered the market in March and has remained on contract every single day since.

"Gripper is fitted with a flexible platform, offering enhanced efficiency and manoeuvrability, only using the power that the current situation requires. It is also alternative-ready, meaning it was built to be outfitted with batteries when the industry calls for it, with limited downtime for conversion," said Burbelo.

Gripper was built with an emphasis on crew comfort and safety. The vessel delivers improved ride quality, ensuring technicians arrive at the wind farm feeling rested and ready to work safely.

"The interior is outfitted to be more reminiscent of a yacht with a home-like feeling to it," Burbelo told Baird Maritime. "We want technicians to be excited about sailing on the vessel, hence the inclusion of amenities such as a coffee bar and top-of-the-line seating systems."

Burbelo added that the new crewboat was developed to set a new standard for coastal cruisers and is thus unique in the offshore wind industry on the US East Coast.