First order for Turbine Access System

Signed by leading workboat operator Turbine Transfers Ltd, the first TAS order is part of an extensive new fleet construction project announced at Seawork 2011 between Turbine Transfers and builders South Boats Ltd. Houlder’s Turbine Access System won both the Marine Renewable Energy Supply Chain category award and the prestigious overall Spirit of Innovation Award at Seawork this year.

The TAS, developed with BMT Nigel Gee, will provide safe and reliable access between the new workboats and offshore wind turbine structures. As well as enhance safety, TAS has been designed to extend maintenance, installation and commissioning operability compared to existing transfer methods. It achieves this by enabling crew transfer via a lightweight, motion compensated gangway installed on the bow. In contrast to other transfer systems currently on the market, the TAS does not require vessel dynamic positioning (DP) or anything to be fixed to the turbine structure itself. It was this unique approach which won Houlder the Spirit of Innovation Award.

The contract sees the first TAS unit installed on Turbine Transfer’s new 19m Caernarfon Bay workboat in early 2012. The new South Boats catamaran design carries three 10ft containers and up to 10 tons of cargo within its extensive specifications and is powered by twin MTU 10V2000M72 marine engines. Subsequent boats of the same design and a larger 24m design will also be supplied to Turbine Transfers ‘TAS Ready’ as part of the project.

Rupert Hare, Houlder’s managing director said, “A new generation of workboats is vital to the success of the UK’s offshore wind industry as turbines move further offshore and into more onerous conditions. Houlder is delighted our equipment is making a contribution”.