Bibby Line Group has set up a new business unit Bibby Marine Services, which has contracted Damen Shipyards Group to deliver a service operations vessel (SOV) for use in the offshore wind sector.
Bibby WaveMaster 1 (pictured), the company’s first SOV with walk-to-work access, will be able to remain at sea for periods up to one month, accommodating up to 45 turbine maintenance personnel and 15 crew members.
The 90-metre vessel is longer than that of a conventional platform supply vessel and the bow section has been lowered by 1.5 metres to create a V-shape. This feature aims to reduce ‘slamming’ and facilitates inclusion and improved offshore operation of the bow thrusters.
Bibby said the accommodation is midships for additional comfort – the location reducing vertical acceleration by as much as 15%.
The design also includes a diesel-electric main propulsion system, which powers twin azimuth thrusters.
Other options are available for the vessel, including an additional deck crane with up to 24 tonnes capability, tanks arrangements suited to liquids such as glycols, tanks suited to low flashpoint liquids with separate delivery intakes and facilities for dive support and ROV operations.
Damen business development manager Peter Robert said: “This is much more than just a vessel – it is a total access and accommodation solution.
“It has been tailored specifically to the needs of the offshore wind industry. This is the first time that a wind farm operations and maintenance vessel has been designed exclusively for this purpose.
“The symmetric profile is created by locating the superstructure amidships instead of bow mounted.
Because of this, the wind-induced moment is less, resulting in lower required bow thruster power.
“The four split configuration of the main switchboard enables us to divide the generator sets more efficiently than in conventional arrangements with two switchboards.”
Image: Bibby Line Group
