SES delivered
The Norwegian-built WaveCraft Surface Effect Ship ‘Umoe Firmus’ has arrived in the UK. Following extensive upgrades and testing it was handed over to the Tidal Transit crew, who sailed directly from Mandal to Yarmouth.
Wind farm vessel operator Tidal Transit says the specification and capabilities of the WaveCraft vessel has led it to be seen as a potential game changer for the UK offshore wind industry.
Statkraft has chartered Umoe Firmus to support its O&M operations at the Sheringham Shoal Offshore Wind Farm and its performance there is sure to be of keen interest to the UK’s major offshore wind farm developers and operators.
Before handing the vessel over to Statkraft, Tidal Transit is hosting a short series of industry demonstration trips from Great Yarmouth for key players in the industry
Tidal Transit Commercial Director Leo Hambro is delighted that the vessel has arrived in UK waters, saying:
“The level of interest we have had to arrange trials and the oversubscribed demonstration trip indicates that we are not the only people who believe that the WaveCraft is a potential game changer. We are looking forward to showing off Umoe Firmus’ capabilities in the North Sea.”
The WaveCraft uses an air cushion between its catamaran hulls to lift 80% of the vessel out of the water. The small draught that this creates provides the vessel with easy access to ports, especially those such as Wells-next-the-Sea, which are subject to tidal restrictions. It also enables the vessel to travel at high speeds (40+ knots) whilst maintaining a low fuel consumption resulting in a range of more than 700 nautical miles.
Managing the pressure of the air cushion according to wave height allows for smoother voyages and provides a greatly increased opportunity for access to turbines – up to wave heights of 2.5 metres, or even higher in a swell.
By Jake Frith
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