Bibby Marine Orders First-Ever Damen Service Operations Vessel
On 15 January, Bibby Marine Services Limited, part of Bibby Line Group, signed a contract with the Damen Shipyards Group for delivery of its first Service Operations Vessel (SOV) with walk-to-work access. The vessel, Bibby WaveMaster 1, will undertake offshore wind project work in the North Sea. It is the first vessel purpose-built for the transfer and accommodation of offshore personnel and aims to maximise working time and staff retention. The design guarantees fast, safe and comfortable access to turbines, at lower cost, up to 80% of the time, including in worst case scenario central North Sea conditions.
In line with wind farms being constructed farther from shore, the SOV with walk-to-work access is able to remain at sea for periods up to one month. Accommodation is provided on board for up to 45 turbine maintenance personnel and 15 crew members.
Damen Business Development Manager Peter Robert described the thinking behind the concept, saying, “This is much more than just a vessel – it is a total access and accommodation solution. The development of this vessel has started with a blank sheet of paper, as opposed to being an evolved version of an existing design. 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. Great care has been taken, over 2 years of development, to ensure suitability to the tasks for which it is designed.”
Stephen Blaikie, Chief Executive Officer, Bibby Marine Services Ltd. commented, “We have worked very closely with Damen to custom design an access and accommodation solution that exactly meets the specific needs of wind farm operators. Bibby WaveMaster 1 will operate with the greenest possible credentials. It is designed to give operators more access, more safety and more comfort when operating and servicing their wind farms.”