In one of the biggest orders made for windfarm workboats, one 24m and two 26m aluminium catamarans, each featuring two Rolls-Royce 56A3 stainless steel water jets, will be used to transfer people and cargo to the growing number of offshore wind farms around the coast of Europe.
Andy Brett, Rolls-Royce Marine sales manager – UK said: “Rolls-Royce water jet technology offers a combination of speed, efficiency and excellent manoeuvrability for these vessels, which will regularly operate in challenging sea conditions with strong winds and currents. These are essential factors when safely transferring people and equipment onto the turbine structures.”
This latest order brings the number of Rolls-Royce powered vessels in service or on order from South Boats IOW and their sister company Alicat Workboats to 24.
Also featuring on the vessels is Rolls-Royce’s new compact control system for water jets, which is completely tailored to suit owners’ requirements and reduces build and installation times. The new wind farm work boats will include MTU 12V 2000 engines which will power the catamarans to speeds of up to 30 knots.
