US jack-up vessel equipment supplier Friede & Goldman (F&G) has secured approval in principle (AIP) for its wind turbine installation vessel feeder system.
The American Bureau of Shipping (ABS)-granted AIP is for the BargeRack technology.
Typical feeder vessels are “inherently risky” due to motions during turbine equipment handling.
Building upon F&G’s jack-up expertise, F&G engineers created a new wind turbine installation vessel design that “completely eliminates” feeder vessel motions, “resulting in safe and simple” turbine installation.
F&G’s BargeRack technology also reduces feeder vessel cost by an order of magnitude compared to other feeder solutions.
In recent years, F&G has been applying its knowledge and proven technology from the over 120 F&G built oil-field jack-up rigs to the offshore wind industry.
This technology includes F&G’s robust leg design, leg wear extended life cycle, easily accessible jacking pinions for in-service maintenance, fully automatic lubrication systems, wear compensating guide systems, afloat spud can inspection and maintenance, all aimed at reducing downtime and increasing productivity.