German flag cats add offshore transfer clout

Developed by Baltec Ship Design and BV-classified I+HULL.MACH Wind Farm Service Ship-S1, the German-flag Offshoretaxi one is of pre-fabricated glass epoxy laminates in sandwich construction – meaning it does not require powerful engines or a chief engineer and weighs less than aluminium types and uses less fuel. It is the first boat of this type to be built by Muetzelfeldt Werft.

The 8 m wide Offshoretaxi one draws 1.5m and carries up to 12 passengers. It will see service with Cuxhaven towage, salvage and offshore transport specialist Otto Wulf.

Otto Wulf spokesman Soeren Wulf told Maritime Journal the newbuild is propelled by two Volvo Penta IPS650 D11 engines each of 375kW with IPS2 gears and integrated DP. Speed is 27 knots with fuel consumption 7 litres/MGO per nautical mile at 20 knots.

A main feature of the boat is its innovative and patented heave-compensated rolling jack. The Baltec system, made of carbon fibre and stainless steel, consists of a vertical frame and platform which are roll and pitch compensated through 20º with hydraulic actuators and electronic control. The lightweight construction also prevents damage to landing platforms.

A second German-flag crew transfer and service catamaran, Windea two, is already in Baltic service out of the North German port Emden.

The Damen-built 25.75m long, 10.4m wide boat, drawing 2.2m, follows Windea one, in service since September 2013. Its owners Windea CTV two – which groups SSC Wind, Ems Maritime Offshore and van Laar Beheer – said it chose the same design because of “very positive experience” with the earlier boat which “has not been inactive for a single day”.

Propulsion consists of two CAT C32 TTA main engines of total 1790kW over a fixed pitch propeller. Windea two also has a 400 V 50 Hz 22.5kW-28kVA generator, two Hydrosta Sider 80/100 bow thrusters and an hydraulically operated knuckle boom crane. She carries three crew – one fewer than Windea one.

The new boat is Classed GMDSS A2 ICE and carries 12 passengers. Her owners said she also carries 10-15 tons of cargo and boasts a 90 m2 deck area.

Windea two is a Damen Fast Crew Supplier Type 2610. The design features a double Damen Sea Axe bow, which creates a larger operational window by reducing slamming by up to 70%. The FCS 2610 also safely transfers personnel at wave heights of more than 2.5m. Other features are a maximum speed of 26 knots and low fuel consumption, another advantage of the low-resistance double Sea Axe bow, said Windea.

By Tom Todd