OEG expands offshore wind vessel fleet with new CTV

Fulmar will start off in Scottish waters at the Inch Cape Offshore Wind Farm, a 1.1GW development across 150km².

The site is owned in a 50/50 joint venture by Edinburgh-based Red Rock Renewables and ESB (Electricity Supply Board).

Once operational, it will comprise 72 wind turbines and an offshore substation.

Fulmar is designed to carry up to 24 personnel for high-speed transfers and can be configured for extended offshore operations. During its deployment at Inch Cape, the vessel will provide crew and cargo transfers to the offshore substation platform and will also support servicing work related to welfare units installed on the platform by OEG.

The Chartwell Marine Ambitious Class vessel is 25.1m x 8.65m with a top speed of 30 knots.

“As Scotland’s offshore wind industry continues to grow, OEG is committed to supporting the sector and the supply chain,” said Leif Cooper, Marine Services director at OEG. “We are focused on modernising and streamlining our fleet, introducing newbuilds with lower emissions and higher performance capabilities, and Fulmar is the latest addition in partnership with Chartwell Marine, strengthening our existing capacity.

“We look forward to Fulmar’s first successful deployment on Inch Cape – one of Scotland’s largest offshore wind farms – and demonstrating our ongoing commitment to delivering safe, efficient, and sustainable support to Scotland’s offshore energy projects.”

OEG owns and operates 15 multi-purpose CTVs across the UK, Europe and Taiwan, supporting offshore wind construction, operations and maintenance.

The company says it is undertaking a fleet modernisation programme, having sold two older vessels last year, with further disposals planned.