Senesco Marine, North Kingstown, R.I., recently launched a new Jones-Act-compliant crew transfer vessel (CTV) for its sister company, WindServe Marine. The new vessel, WindServe Spartan, is servicing the emerging offshore wind industry on the U.S. East Coast. Both Senesco Marine and WindServe Marine operate under the Reinauer Group.
The delivery of the WindServe Spartan marks the final boat of a six-vessel contract that Senesco has with WindServe. The aluminum catamaran was designed by BMT, Houston, and measures 95'x30' with a 5'6" draft.
Compared to the first four CTVs, the WindServe Spartan has an extended extended engine control room (ECR) to allow for hybrid-ready capabilities.
Ted Williams, Senesco’s president, spoke to the 6' ECR extension, which was also incorporated into WindServe’s fifth delivered vessel, WindServe Fronteir.
“We’re not supplying the hybrid system at this time, but in the event a customer in the future wants that, there’s enough room in the back of the engine room to go hybrid if there’s the desire to do that,” Williams said.
The new CTV is equipped with quad Volvo Penta D13 main engines, each rated at 690 hp at 2,300 rpm, and connected to a Volvo Penta IPS 900 propulsion system. The vessel has Volvo joystick controls, including a dynamic positioning system feature that allows the vessel to maintain its positioning despite strong winds and current.
The WindServe Spartan can achieve a service speed of 24 knots, with top speed capability of 27 knots, carrying up to six crewmembers and 24 offshore technicians. Crew amenities include Starlink internet, DirecTV satellite television and KPM suspension seating.
Also onboard are a pair of Kohler Marine generators, Toimil T-12505M/2 forward deck crane, a portable high-pressure washer on the bow, Hercules AAW-150 anchor windlass, First Electric automation system, and a Reygar BAREFleet vessel monitoring system.
Capacities include 9,715 gals. of fuel, and 792 gals. fresh water. Cargo capacities are 20 tons on 540 sq. ft. of forward deck space.
The vessel is built to USCG Subchapter L certification and ABS class.
Senesco uses Pierce Aluminum, Franklin, Mass., and Yarde Metals, Southington, Conn., for its aluminum parts, and Kloeckner Metals, Middletown, Conn., for its steel. Williams spoke to the importance of keeping these construction metals separate during the build.
“We get all of the aluminum pre-cut, because we don’t want to contaminate steel and aluminum. Aluminum is really fickle. And if you get any steel dust in it, it will degrade the welds significantly,” Williams said.
Senesco Marine separates its aluminum builds from its steel builds in buildings that originally served as World War II aircraft maintenance hangars.
The WindServe Marine fleet is comprised of the 64'6" WindServe Odyssey (2020), the 88'6" WindServe Genesis and WindServe Journey (2023), the WindServe Explorer (2023), and the 95’ WindsServe Fronteir (2024).
WindServe Marine has locations in Staten Island, N.Y., and Brooklyn, N.Y., Boston, and Quonset Point, R.I.
