Rolls-Royce Water Jets for Windfarm Support Vessels
Rolls-Royce said it has secured a contract to supply water jets for three wind farm support vessels to be built by South Boats IOW for the offshore wind transfer vessel operator Seacat Services.
In what Rolls-Royce called one of the biggest orders made for wind farm workboats, one 24-meter and two 26-meter aluminum catamarans, each featuring two Rolls-Royce 56A3 stainless steel water jets, will be used to transfer people and cargo to the growing number of offshore wind farms around the coast of Europe.
Andy Brett, Rolls-Royce Marine Sales Manager – U.K., said, “Rolls-Royce water jet technology offers a combination of speed, efficiency and excellent maneuverability for these vessels, which will regularly operate in challenging sea conditions with strong winds and currents. These are essential factors when safely transferring people and equipment onto the turbine structures.”
South Boats IOW, based on the Isle of Wight, is among market leaders for the design and build of this type of vessel, purpose built to support the construction and maintenance of offshore wind turbines. This latest order brings the number of Rolls-Royce powered vessels in service or on order from South Boats IOW and their sister company Alicat Workboats to 24.
Also featuring on the vessels is Rolls-Royce’s new compact control system for water jets, which is completely tailored to suit owners’ requirements and reduces build and installation times. The new wind farm work boats will include MTU 12V 2000 engines which will power the catamarans to speeds of up to 30 knots.