OSD-SOV

Offshore Ship Designers’ (OSD) UK division OSD-IMT has unveiled new designs for 1,350dwt IMT972 offshore wind farm service operation vessels (SOVs).

OSD managing director Michiel Wijsmuller said: "These new designs are based on the outcome of four years of extensive discussions with wind farm developers, operators and maintenance companies."

"They fulfil the operational demands of the wind farm maintenance industry and can also provide logistics support services to transformer platforms."

Powered by two Steerprop SP25 or equal 1900kWe fixed pitch azimuth propulsion units, the SOVs can be fitted with two 2.5MW Voith Turbo main thrusters and frequency-controlled, electric, motor-driven CPP thruster units at the front.

The CPP thruster units include two tunnel-type bow thrusters and one retractable bow thruster for station-keeping and high-dynamic performance under manoeuvring or DP conditions.

Designed in compliance with the Clean Design classification requirements of DNV for wind farm service operation vessels, the SOVs will have a LOA of 72.20m and will accommodate up to 60 persons, including 22 crew members.

The new IMT972 SOVs will be equipped with electro-hydraulic 1t SWL motion-compensated folding jib crane and be capable of operating for 30 to 45 days on station and beyond, if replenished at sea.

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Features of the IMT972 include a heave-compensated turbine platform and an aluminium access gangway, arranged with a telescopic frame, a small pallet lift and conveyor lift system for the loading and transfer of stores and spares.

Additional features are a mono-hull workboat fitted with a heave-compensated single point lift davit for general wind turbine work duties as well as for emergency evacuation of technicians, two boat-landing areas and a large deck area for additional equipment.

The IMT972 SOV can be used not only as a wind farm maintenance vessel, but also as a standby rescue vessel, command/control vessel, survey vessel and ROV support vessel.

Image: An artistic impression of the new designs of offshore wind farm service operation vessels (SOVs). Photo: courtesy of OSD-IMT.