OFFSHORE RENEWABLES

Vessel operator wins windfarm contract

12 years ago

Vessel operator Rix Sea Shuttle, based in Hull UK has won a contract with Reef Subsea to supply two crew transfer vessels for the Gwynt y Môr site, one of Europe’s largest windfarms.

The ‘Rix Panther’ pushing up to Reef Subsea’s vessel the ‘Polar King’ at the Gwynt y Môr windfarm

The contract will support Reef Subsea’s two cable installation vessels at the RWE Innogy Gwynt y Môr development, which are currently laying cables at the site.

James Doyle, managing director of Rix Sea Shuttle, said the contract represented a step up in the work the company was carrying out in the renewables industry putting it at the centre of the crew transfer vessel market.

Reef Subsea has employed two Rix Sea Shuttle crew support boats – the Panther and the Tiger – to aid cable installations vessels Polar Prince and Polar King.

Mr Doyle said: “We are delighted to win a contract on what is a hugely important project for the renewable energy industry. The two vessels we have supplied will be used to take engineers and technicians to and from individual wind turbines to support both first end and second end pull-in operations.”

One will operate 24/7 while the other will provide daytime support, then roles will be reversed to ensure the crews are properly rested.

He added one of the attractions of Rix Sea Shuttle was a significant investment in vital spares for each of their vessels, meaning the company could deal with any breakdowns very quickly.

Anthony Michelin, project director at Reef Subsea, said the company appointed Rix Sea Shuttle because of its experience in the shipping industry. “Although a new company to the offshore renewables sector, we were particularly impressed by the “Rix” pedigree in terms of their safety culture, their people, their equipment and above all, their determination to add value to the project.”

Gwynt y Môr is one of the largest offshore wind farms currently under construction in Europe and once completed, will consist of 160 turbines with the combined capacity of 576MW – enough energy to power around 400,000 homes.

It is situated off the North Wales coast and is forecast to be finished by the end of 2014.

Rix Sea Shuttle is part of a family run firm J.R. Rix and Sons, which has been operating cargo ships, marine tankers and barges for more than 100 years.

By Anne-Marie Causer