Soil Machine Dynamics (SMD) has delivered a cable burial tractor to Boskalis for its Ndeavor vessel.
The ultra-high powered, compact 2400hp cable burial tractor (CBT2400) and associated deck equipment were mobilised directly onto Ndeavour from the Swan Hunter quayside access point adjacent to SMD’s factory, in north-east England.
The tractor will be operated by Boskalis and specialist trenching contractor, Canyon Offshore.
SMD designed the CBT2400 to provide a reliable system for protecting cables in hard ground, with interchangeable cassette tooling.
The tractor provides a remote-control platform with a range of trenching tools for different ground strengths; the tool consists of a hard ground cutting boom, rear jetting tools for lowering the power cable and advanced tools for spoil clearance.
The vehicle operates in post lay mode and has been specifically designed for safe product handling.
The CBT range of subsea tractor systems are capable of trenching power cables in seabed’s ranging from sands and clays to rock in ultra-shallow, beach approach work or deep water.
SMD equipment business manager Paul Davison said: “Boskalis is one of the most experienced marine service providers in the offshore wind industry and we are delighted that they have chosen our equipment to strengthen their trenching capability.
“The project is a great example of how we pride ourselves on working in partnership with our customers; the unique combination of tools has been a collaborative effort between SMD’s design experts and the combined operational expertise of Boskalis and Canyon Offshore.”
SMD Services conducted specialised training for Boskalis and Canyon Offshore personnel earlier this month for the operation of the CBT2400.