Dutch company Offshore Wind Services B.V. (OWS), which is a specialist in providing crew transfer vessels to the offshore wind industry, is the first to order the next generation Damen Twin Axe Fast Crew Supplier 2610.
With the contract signed end-December 2013, the construction of the new vessel began immediately and is set to be delivered in October this year.
Introduced to the market in 2011, the Damen Twin Axe Fast Crew Supplier 2610 has already established itself as “The Industry Standard” for the offshore wind market, capable of operating further offshore in rougher weather conditions, while ensuring safe transfer and vast cargo capacity.
Facilities for the technicians and the crew have been improved, with the addition of a pantry, changing room and a spare part area easily accessible at deck level. Furthermore, the operational capacity of the vessel has been upgraded by introducing modifications to bow thrusters and gearboxes. Eight CCTV cameras also give full coverage of the decks and vessel boundaries, which increases safety levels.
OWS is excited to be the first to add the next generation of the Twin Axe 2610 to its fleet. Workships Contractors’ Managing Director Jan Dirk Hudig comments: “Damen has further enhanced the FCS 2610 design over the last few years and OWS and one of our prospective clients have had considerable input in the process. This ensures that Damen is providing the market with a vessel entirely suited to the offshore wind industry, specialists like OWS and in turn, the end customers.”
From the contract signing ceremony
Jelle Meindertsma, Damen Sales Manager Benelux, says: “We are delighted that OWS has chosen a Damen Twin Axe FCS 2610 vessel and very much look forward to working with the company in the future. Although the Damen Twin Axe is known for its passenger and crew comfort and ability to operate smoothly in higher sea states already, this has been further enhanced with the seating area placed on the bridge deck, giving passengers a full 360-degree view.”
About the Twin Axe Fast Crew Supplier (FCS) 2610:
The FCS 2610 design facilitates the safe transfer of personnel onto platforms or wind turbines at wave heights of more than 2.5 metres. The vessel has a maximum speed of 26 knots (with a range of 1, 200 nm, depending on sea state). The Damen double Sea Axe Bow hull means that resistance is low, leading to excellent seakeeping behaviour and low fuel consumption.
The 26 x 10 m vessel offers accommodation for a crew of four and up to 12 passengers. With ample working and storage space on deck it is possible to load various types of cargo with the onboard crane (20 tm), incl. either two 10” containers or two 20” containers. Furthermore, the vessel has a spacious rescue platform, HP cleaning unit, a three-point mooring system and extra mooring winches.
10 stock vessels
In order to fulfil growing demand for the FCS 2610 some 10 vessels are currently being built for stock. Part of this stock can be outfitted and finished according to customer demands. Damen’s standardisation and stock-building philosophy enables it to offer very short delivery times. The Twin Axe FCS 2610 is being built at Damen Shipyards Singapore, which is a Group specialist in high-speed aluminium craft.
Smaller version built for stock
Four FCS 2008, the smaller sister of the 2610, are also under construction.
A short video of this vessel type is available at youtube.com
click on: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9s5Xb5aBDD0
OWS
Managed by Workships Contractors BV, a company with 25 years of offshore experience, OWS now owns 10 dedicated wind farm vessels and continues with concrete expansion plans for the coming years. With a strong track record, robust QHSE procedures, committed crew, as well as an innovative and customer-oriented mindset, OWS is a leading provider of crew transfer vessels in the offshore wind market.
Damen Shipyards Group
Damen Shipyards Group (est. 1927) operates more than 55 shipyards, repair yards and related companies worldwide. Damen employs over 8, 000 people in 35 countries, has delivered over 5, 000 vessels since 1969 and delivers some 150 vessels annually to worldwide customers. Based on its unique, standardised ship-design concept and short delivery times, Damen is able to guarantee consistent quality.
Damen’s focus on standardisation, modular construction and keeping vessels in stock leads to short delivery times, low ‘total cost of ownership’, high resale value, proven technology and reliable performance. Damen offers a wide range of products, including: tugs, workboats, patrol vessels, high speed craft, cargo vessels, dredgers, offshore support vessels, oil-spill response vessels, frigates and super yachts. For nearly all vessel types Damen offers a broad range of Services, such as Lifecycle Maintenance Services, Customer Finance, Training and transfer of (shipbuilding) knowledge.
In addition to ship design and shipbuilding, Damen Shiprepair & Conversion offers a network of 16 ship repair & conversion yards worldwide, most of which are conveniently located along the North Sea coast from Brest (France) to Gothenburg (Sweden). Damen Shiprepair & Conversion operates 40 dry docks of all types and sizes and offers onsite/onboard repair services. Conversion projects range from refitting small fishing vessels into private yachts to the complete conversion or rebuilding of large jack-up rigs.
