Bespoke gangway for new accommodation support vessel

OSBV has both designed and built the bespoke gangway, pushing the boundaries of the existing Offshore Access System (OAS), to be installed on the unique newbuild 600 berth monohull Fides accommodation support vessel.

At 40m, the specially designed gangway is twice as long as the standard OAS and capable of operating in up to 5m significant wave height.

The vessel will provide the offshore industry with a unique accommodation and service vessel, which is planned to go into service later this year. The Edda Accommodation gangway will increase efficiency as it allows the transfer of workforce in both directions.

OSBV’s general manager Ian Sadler said, ‘We have been working in partnership with Edda for the last two years to design and manufacture the world’s most advanced heave compensated, hydraulic lift access system. The unit has now been manufactured and tested, and we are delighted with the results. Installation into the vessel will take place in June this year with sea trials in July.’

Edda Accommodation managing director Johan Rokstad said, ‘We are thrilled Offshore Solutions has agreed to specially design an offshore access system for this vessel. The OAS provides a safe, reliable and cost effective solution for transferring personnel, which further enhances the benefits and value add we offer our clients.’

This latest announcement comes as Offshore Solutions witnesses an increase in enquiries for its OAS, as operators consider alternatives to helicopter transfer. The company has also developed a lighter weight version of the OAS, the OTS, which has received interest from the offshore wind and renewables market.