Gladding-Hearn Shipbuilding (Duclos Corp.), Somerset, Mass., has started construction on its first crew transfer vessel (CTV) for Patriot Offshore Maritime Services LLC, New Bedford, Mass..
The CTV will operate year-round, roundtrip service from New Bedford for 24 wind farm technicians and cargo to support Vineyard Wind’s construction, operation and maintenance of an 800-MW wind farm 15 miles off the coast of Martha’s Vineyard.
The all-aluminum high-speed catamaran, designed by Incat Crowther Design, is 88'6"x29'6" ft. and has a draft of 5.6'. Each hull will be powered by a pair of Scania DI16, 8-cylinder, four-cycle, EPA Tier-3 compliant diesel engines, each rated at 788 Bhp (588 bkW) at 2,100 rpm. Each main engine will drive a Hamilton HM521 waterjet through a ZF-665 reverse-reduction gearbox.
The design is similar to Incat Crowther’s series of recently delivered 27-meter CTVs that are operating in Europe, but the vessel is a new design, made for U.S. preferences, materials and requirements. The vessel features a large working deck and cargo zone, with room for both 10' and 20' containers, as well as a moon pool, while the aft deck also adds flexibility with additional cargo capacity. The large foredeck will be set up to carry two 20' ISO containers and transfer passengers over the bow. The CTV will have a maximum deadweight capacity of 50 tonnes and a foredeck area of 80m2 (861 sq. ft.).
“This vessel is another demonstration of Incat Crowther’s unique position of having well-established offices in both the U.S. and Europe with experience in the design of successful vessels for service in offshore energy,” said Ed Dudson of Incat Crowther’s UK-based office.
The resiliently-mounted superstructure is located aft of midship with port and starboard side decks and working/cargo decks fore and aft, an emergency equipment locker aft and two bow deck lockers. The main deck, accessible by an aft and two side doors, will include a wet locker, two heads and showers and storage racks. There will also be a refreshment counter, a small table with four chairs and seating for 24 wind farm technicians. The crew mess and lounge will each have a three-person booth and table and lounge seats. A 144,000-Btu air cooled air-conditioning/reverse cycle heat system will service the main salon, upper state rooms, crew quarters and the wheelhouse.
Each hull is divided into four watertight compartments. The forepeaks are the most forward compartments and the vessel will be outfitted with accommodations for crew and personnel, including staterooms, galley and lounge.
The wheelhouse, with windows on all sides for nearly 360-degree visibility, will be located on the second deck and accessible by interior stairs and aft exterior ladder. The wheelhouse will include three shock-mitigating helm seats. A control console will be across the front to accommodate centerline engine and waterjet controls, navigation and communication electronics.
The vessel will be certified USCG Subchapter-L rules for vessels.
The new vessel will be completed in mid-2023.
