Germans develop emergency ship

The development involves Bugsier, Reederei- und Bergungs-Gesellschaft in Hamburg and the Fassmer Werft in Berne.

Maritime Journal understands the planned offshore wind farm ERRV will take about two years to build – from keel laying to hand over by Fassmer and that the period will include sea trials and crew training. The newbuilding could enter its first charter about three years after the signing of a charter agreement and after rates and charter length have been agreed.

The ERRV is expected to have diesel-electric propulsion for economy reasons, with engines operating on two variable pitch propellers but with no rudder propellers – for hydro-dynamic reasons. MJ further understands that the use of LNG/LPG/CNG propulsion is not likely because of the time the ship is expected to spend at sea.

Its jobs will include providing security for wind farm clusters and protection against drifting ships while acting as an emergency tug. It will also undertake personnel transport in cases of helicopter emergency landings and during platform evacuations and offer support to rescue services in the event of personnel injury.

A ship of 65-70m is being considered with a high top speed of 20 knots and a bollard pull of up to 120 t. The ship will boast a heli-pad on a closed bow area, carry 12 crew and be capable of taking up to 60 people on board. It will also carry life boats and recover up to 300 m3 of spilled oil.

ERRVs are already operating in offshore oil and gas sectors but are largely restricted to shipping control. The big difference between them and the Bugsier/Fassmer ship, Maritime Journal understands, will be the new ship’s high speed, particularly in heavy seas.

German media in fact quoted Fassmer MD Harald Fassmer as saying “an emergency response time of half an hour is planned” for the ERRV to reach any wind farm accident location and provide help.

Bugsier already has experience with big emergency tugs. The 78m long and 201 bp Nordic has been in its fleet since 2011. It has two MTU engines of 17,200kW developing 20 knots, suggesting that the new ERRV might be modelled on it. However Maritime Journal was told the only similarity between the new ship and Nordic will be their speed.

Just last year Fassmer, one of Germany’s leading builders of special vessels, delivered the two 32m long Schottel tractor tugs Bugsier 7 and Bugsier 8. They have two ABC Diesels of total 4498 kW and two Schottel SRPs.

By Tom Todd