Wight Shipyard Company (WSC) is breaking into the offshore wind farm support vessel market with the launch of its new Vortisea brand.
The Vortisea vessel, designed in collaboration with Australia’s Incat Crowther, is specifically geared towards European and UK offshore wind farms being developed further offshore.
WSC chief executive Peter Morton said: “We will be targeting all operators, but particularly those looking for a very high-quality vessel build in Europe.”
UK, Isle of Wight-based WSC has built ferries for customers, including MBNA Thames Clippers and Red Funnel, but this is the first time the yard has ventured into the renewables sector.
Morton added: “Incat Crowther is the best partner for this brand of vessel and we’re no stranger to working with them.”
Incat Crowther managing director Ed Dudson said the Vortisea vessel has been designed to meet the latest standards in UK, German and Danish-Flag state requirements.
He added: “Probably the most important design feature of the vessel is its market-leading wave height capability for transfer and transit, for this reason it was important to take a step forward in traditional wind farm support vessel design.”
The catamaran hull design is exceptionally efficient, constructed from lightweight marine grade aluminium, so it’s an environmentally friendly build resulting in a vessel with low fuel consumption.
Operating speeds in excess of 30 knots are achievable depending on the machinery package selected.