Bibby WaveMaster Horizon Launched

A second service operations vessel for Bibby Marine Services has been launched and christened during a ceremony at Damen Shipyards Galati in Romania, the shipbuilder announced Friday.

The new vessel, Bibby WaveMaster Horizon, will begin maintenance work on two EnBW and Enbridge-owned wind farms in the German North Sea – Hohe See and Albatros – for Siemens Gamesa Renewable Energy and EnBW, upon delivery later this year.

Damen said it developed the SOV 9020 vessel design through close consultation with the offshore renewables industry. The result is a DP2 walk-to-work vessel with a number of innovative features, including a distinctive hull design.

Damen began construction of the second SOV at the same time as the first vessel, the Bibby WaveMaster 1. This meant that, when Bibby Marine Services and Siemens Gamesa confirmed their contract at the end of 2017, Damen was able to accelerate construction rapidly.

“This is one the principal benefits of Damen’s philosophy of standardized shipbuilding,” said Damen sales manager Arjen van Elk. “Building in series means that we are able to deliver reliable, proven ships in the fastest possible timeframes, at competitive prices.

The feedback from Bibby Marine Services regarding the Bibby WaveMaster 1 has been positive, van Elk noted.

Stephen Bolton, Managing Director at Bibby Marine Services, confirmed, “Since delivery in September 2017 the Bibby WaveMaster 1 has worked continuously in the offshore wind and oil and gas sectors proving her design and Bibby’s management model on a daily basis.

“We are therefore confident that the Bibby WaveMaster Horizon will perform equally well for our clients Siemens Gamesa Renewable Energy and ENBW and set a new benchmark in the offshore wind operations and maintenance sector.”

Bibby WaveMaster Horizon was launched and christened March 29 at Damen Shipyards Galati in Romania (Photo: Damen)