Rhode Island shipbuilder Blount Boats has delivered the first US-flagged offshore wind vessel to Atlantic Wind Transfers.
The aptly named Atlantic Pioneer crew transfer vessel will begin service in late May for Deepwater Wind’s 30MW Block Island demo, the first offshore wind farm in North America.
UK outfit South Boats IOW designed the twin hulled, aluminum catamaran. The vessel is certified to carry up to 16 offshore workers or up to 47 passengers and can make transfers in 1.5m wave heights.
The Atlantic Pioneer also can handle up to 15 tonnes of cargo and has a knuckleboom crane in the bow area.
The vessel has been undergoing sea trials for the past few weeks. A christening ceremony is planned on 22 April.
Atlantic Wind Transfers, a subsidiary of Rhode Island Fast Ferry, has a 20-year crew transfer contract for the Block Island pilot project.
Deepwater plans to install turbines and commission the offshore project by the end of the year.
Image: Atlantic Wind Transfers
