VESSEL REVIEW | Rera As – Durable crewboat to support Japanese offshore wind operations

Hokuyo Kaiun, a vessel operating company under Japan's the NYK Group, will soon commence operations of a newly acquired catamaran crewboat built for windfarm support duties.

Named Rera As after the translation of "wind blows" in the northern Japanese indigenous Ainu language, the crewboat will be operated by Hokuyo Kaiun in support of Siemens Gamesa under a time-charter contract. Sweden's the Northern Offshore Group (NOG), via subsidiary Northern Offshore Services, will provide technical and commercial support.

The crewboat has a length of 27.1 metres, a beam of nine metres, a gross tonnage of 230, and accommodations for 12 passengers/technicians in addition to the crew. It is also equipped with NOG's patented high grip fender, which increases the frictional force when the crewboat presses against a wind turbine tower, hence stabilising the vessel.

The vessel has been certified by ClassNK to comply with the ISM Code, which confirms that the vessel has established a ship safety management system meeting international standards. The crewboat also received a Wind Farm Support Vessel (WFV) notation, which recognises that the vessel is fully equipped with facilities and manuals necessary for the safe transportation of workers. NYK claims the vessel is the first domestic crewboat to be recognized as a WFV.

The vessel is also fitted with a monitoring system by Reygar. The system allows operators to comprehensively collect and analyse data on various parameters including the vessel's movements, fuel consumption, and equipment status. The communications suite also includes high-speed internet, 4G, and satellite connectivity, allowing the crew to easily contact shore stations while underway anywhere from just off to coast to remote offshore waters.

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