Boat share scheme at London Array
Good seakeeping and manoeuvrability are qualities CWind Alliance will bring to the London Array project.
Brightlingsea UK based CWind has taken delivery of CWind Alliance, a 20 ton payload, multi-purpose catamaran.
It is the first of three vessels built by CTruk Boats to fulfil CWind’s contract with Siemens, operating out of Ramsgate on the London Array Offshore Wind Farm. The two further workboats are expected to launch in early 2012.
From the six pre-qualified European companies invited to bid for the contracts by Siemens, CWind was the only British winner. Part of CWind’s boat share scheme, CWind Alliance is a joint venture between local skipper Andy Harman, who will organise the crew, and CWind, which is responsible for the management of the boat, including QHSE certification, insurance, maintenance and contracts.
Built by CTruk Boats, also in Brightlingsea, CWind Alliance is 18.5m LOA, with a beam of 6.1m and a lightship draft of 0.86m. Classed DNV 1A1 HSLC R2 Wind and MCA Category 2, the vessel is powered by twin Cummins marine diesels rated at 610 hp and driving Rolls-Royce FF41 waterjets for a sprint speed of 30 knots and 25 knots cruising. The vessel requires a crew of two and will carry 12 passengers. Given the location of the London Array, the vessel includes an amphibious rescue pod which can be launched from the vessel to carry out rescues on dried-out sands.
The CTruk multi-purpose catamarans feature the company’s bespoke, flexible pod system, which enables operators to change the vessel's layout within a few hours. The builder uses vacuum infusion to build composite boats which save up to 40% on weight. They have also developed a manufacturing process that enables modular construction, increasing production efficiency.
CWind MD Peter Jorgenson said, “Our boat share scheme enables local owner/operators to participate in the wind farm industry. The investment of the skipper means our clients get a can-do attitude combined with the experienced management and QHSE procedures of CWind.”
Chris Randle, Siemens’ project manager for London Array added, “We are delighted to be working with a local supplier. We first worked with CWind on Gunfleet Sands and were impressed with their approach offshore and their plans for the business. It’s important for us to have total confidence in the skippers, their crew and the quality of the vessels.
“With CWind we feel confident that our needs and requirements will be taken care of and that the team will go the extra mile offshore to make sure the job is completed safely, in accordance with Siemens' Zero Harm policies and to everyone’s satisfaction.”
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