First Wind Farm Service Vessels Class Rules
DNV has developed the world’s first class rules for wind farm service vessels in order to improve safety and promote uniform standards. The rules will be published on 1 January 2011 but can be used as of today, and DNV has already secured a contract for the first two vessels. The very first vessel built to the new class rules is expected to sail away from South Boats Medina Shipyard on the UK’s Isle of Wight in March next year.
Offshore wind turbines arranged in big wind farms are becoming increasingly common worldwide as governments seek to meet their obligation to provide more renewable energy. The construction and maintenance of these wind turbines will require frequent visits by specialist technicians, and high speed light craft have shown to be effective in transporting personnel. These vessels, typically less than 24 m in length and capable of carrying up to twelve technicians, have traditionally been constructed to domestic standards which vary from country to country. This has created difficulties for operators seeking to employ their vessels in different jurisdictions across Europe.
Strong Demand
Stakeholders within the offshore wind industry, including the flag states, have thus asked for more transparent and uniform regulation of this segment. Some flag states have also indicated that class will become a mandatory requirement for wind farm service vessels in the near future. “There has been strong demand for such class notations in the market”, explains Tor Svensen, the president of DNV. “Representatives of the following flag states – the Netherlands, Denmark, Norway, Germany and the UK – have been consulted to ensure safe, uniform and useful notations, and we have managed to meet this demand within a restricted time.”
Two Notations
The new rules contain two class notations; Windfarm Service 1 for craft trading domestically and carrying up to 12 technicians, and Windfarm Service 2 for other craft carrying up to 60 persons on board. The class notation Windfarm Service 1 for domestic operations is voluntary and represents a complete technical standard. The notation includes requirements as to not only the construction, machinery, systems and watertight integrity of the craft, but also the craft’s stability and lifesaving, fire safety and navigation properties. Windfarm Service 2 applies to craft intended to carry up to 60 persons and are typically longer than 24metres in length. For these vessels the class and statutory sections in the rules may be applied separately to satisfy the requirements of the selected Flag State.