Multi Cats bound for Scottish renewables duties

While offshore wind may dominate the subject of marine related renewables, wave and tidal is also moving forwards, albeit at a slower pace. Perhaps facing hurdles and set-backs along the way there can be little doubt that over time these particular forms of renewable energy will become notable contributors to the provision of green energy.

Early pioneering work and the commitment of developers in resource rich Scottish waters holds potential for the region to be in a strong position should as is expected, wave and tidal energy attracts attention beyond Scottish shores. It is in support of this gradually maturing industry the two new Damen Multi Cats for local companies Green Marine (UK) Ltd and Scotmarine Ltd will likely find work.

Green Marine, based in Stromness Orkney provides services for the wave and tidal energy industry and the newly delivered Damen Multi Cat 2712 Green Isle will join another Damen vessel in their inventory, the Stan Tug 2608 Green Chief.

Classed by BV, Green Isle meets the requirement of MCA CAT 1 Workboat Code withbasic functions listed as: anchor handling, dredger service, supply, towing, hose handling and survey. Main dimensions include: LOA 27.7m, beam 12.45m, draught 2.85m and gross tonnage of 299t. Tank capacities include 109.5m3 of fuel oil and 31.4m3 fresh water.

Two Caterpillar C32 TTA ACERT main engines develop 1,790bkW in total (at 1,800 rpm) powering 1,900mm fixed pitch propellers in Optima nozzles via Reintjes WAF 572L 7.090:1 gearboxes. A Kalkman Beta 250H, 200pk/184kW hydraulic bow thruster is included and the vessel’s performance figures include 33tbp and speed 10 knots. Auxiliary equipment includes two Caterpillar C 04.4 107kVA generator sets.

A typically impressive outfit of deck equipment is included. Towing and anchor-handling provision is from two single drum winches, the former having 50 ton pulling force at 6.8m/min and 90 ton brake holding force. The anchor-handling winch has 100 ton pulling force at 2.5m/min and 120 ton brake holding force. HS Marine supplied two deck cranes comprising an AKC290 LHE3 model lifting 11.3t at 16.5m and an AKC185 HE4 model lifting 6.44t at 17.07m. Accommodation is provided for seven persons in two double and three single cabins.

AND ONE FOR SCOTMARINE
Around 18 miles east of Stromness, Kirkwall based Scotmarine Ltd was established in 2011, operating the Damen Multi Cat 2409 Orcadia. They have now upgraded with delivery of the larger Multi Cat 2613 Orcadia II.

While from the same Damen family, close examination of Orcadia II and Green Isle reveals subtle differences. The former is shorter in length and beam but at 120m3 and 51.1m3 fuel and fresh water capacity there is slightly more tankage with Scotmarine’s vessel. Orcadia II is also classed by BV and meets the MCA Workboat Class I code.

Caterpillar again provide main machinery with two 3512B TA diesels developing 2,610bkW at 1,600 rpm. Reintjes WAF 773 7.087:1 gearboxes drive 2,400mm diameter Promarin fixed pitch propellers in Damen “Optima” nozzles. An 184kW hydraulic bow thruster is also included along with two Caterpillar C04.4, 107kVA, 230/400V generator sets.

Main pulling power is provided by a Kraaijeveld KAW-30-H-TR/TR combined double-drum anchor-handling/towing winch in waterfall configuration. Figures for the anchor-handling and towing drums are 100t pull at 5.9m/min and 60t pull at 9.7m/min respectively, each drum with 150t brake holding power. Again respectively, there are 600m of 48mm wire and 750m of 44mm wire on the anchor handling and towing drums.

The twin crane installation is again supplied by HS Marine by way of two AKC290 HE3 models each with a lift of 11.3t at 16.5m and 41.6t at 5m. Both vessels have substantial bow and stern rollers and at eight persons in four double cabins, Orcadia II has room for one more person over the Green Isle.