OSV converted from oilfield work to renewables
The British owned and operated Multi-Purpose Installation and O&M vessel Inyanga Entsha is showning its versatility after undergoing DP trials and class surveys.
The vessel had been alongside for a refit at Harland and Wolff’s Appledore yard since November after a circuitous and eventful voyage from West Africa where it was bought by Inyanga Maritime’s MD Richard Parkinson.
The 11-year-old 58m, 1500 tonne DP2 OSV had been disposed of by Bourbon Offshore. and as Bourbon Liberty 121, the ship had been laid up in Limbe, Cameroon, along with several others of that class, serving as the mother ship, providing power to the lay-up cluster.
Inyanga Entsha is powered by Cummins-engined DC Electric Propulsion, offering 35% increased energy efficiency leading to very low fuel consumption (3 cu m per day) and very high reliability. These engines have been completely rebuilt.
The Entsha is being reconfigured and adapted for the deployment of the first generation HydroWings, a unique system for constructing and installing tidal energy generators to be moored to the seabed, developed by Inyanga’s sister company HydroWing. The ship’s debut commission in that role is scheduled for the winter 2022 at a site in Orkney.
Meanwhile, after extensive adaptations and removal of unnecessary systems, she has won two separate commissions. Leaving Falmouth on March 13 she is currently on charter, operating offshore Bilbao Spain.
She will then be on charter to Hughes Subsea, where she will be fitted with an AUXROV Boulder removal tool and be engaged on UXO clearance on offshore wind farms.
The specialist equipment and modifications needed for the tidal generator work have included fitting a subsea crane, which is to be followed by the construction of a mezzanine deck and accommodation block for 16 pax, fitting an A-frame and an intelligent LARS (Launch and Recovery system). The LARS is operated from the bridge and allows subsea installation without ROV or personnel on deck, reducing risk to personnel and cost.
HydroWing is developing a system of large, commercially viable tidal energy arrays using its technology combined with Tocardo Turbines. This powerful combination combines the world’s most proven and reliable turbines in a multi-turbine subsea configuration, in a low weight, modular solution with costs that are significantly less than offshore wind.
The Inyanga Entsha will be used to install and maintain 100MW capacity per year.
