(QUONSET POINT, R.I.) — Atlantic Wind Transfers (AWT), the first U.S. offshore wind farm support company, has ordered six Chartwell Ambitious-class crew transfer vessels (CTVs) designed by United Kingdom-based Chartwell Marine.
AWT’s order comprises six CTVs to be constructed by St. John’s Ship Building Inc. at its shipyard in Palatka, Fla. The first two vessels are expected to be delivered in summer 2023 and January 2024 respectively, with four further builds in the pipeline. The vessels will be the first U.S.-built CTVs to be compliant with the Environmental Protection Agency’s Tier 4 regulations, which rank among the most stringent emissions rules for marine engines in the world.
The Jones Act-compliant vessels, certified under U.S. Coast Guard Subchapter L, will be able to operate on any wind farm in the United States under the safety and inspection standards of the Coast Guard. AWT currently operates the only two crew transfer vessels in the U.S. under long-term contracts, servicing the Block Island Wind Farm and Coastal Virginia Offshore Wind Farm.
“We’re pleased to strengthen our pioneering status in delivering another first for the U.S. offshore wind sector with these new Tier 4 vessel orders,” said Charles Donadio Jr., founder of AWT. “Our goal is to build the most reliable, multipurpose Jones Act CTV fleet in the U.S., and provide our clients with cutting-edge technology while lowering our carbon footprint and meeting all Jones Act and USCG regulations. This investment will enable us to have crew transfer vessels available for charter to support the demand over the next several years.
“Our experience has proven our vessel model works for both the shipyard construction phase with on-time deliveries, and in-service uptime reliability for installation support and long-term O&M,” he continued. “Chartwell is our go-to when it comes to CTV designs, which are operating in multiple international markets. We see our partnership with both Chartwell and St. John’s Ship Building as a key cornerstone in our strategy to build the capability and capacity of AWT to support the future growth of the offshore wind industry.”
The Ambitious is Chartwell’s flagship CTV design — an 82.8-foot aluminum catamaran with capacity to transport 24 personnel to and from turbines with speed, safety and stability. Orders for the Ambitious-class design are now well into double-figures, with boats currently operating in Scotland, France and Virginia.
“The U.S. offshore wind market is expanding rapidly, and AWT’s pioneering vision to support this growth aligns well with our own ambition to bring versatile, high-performance crew transfer vessels to the markets that need them most,” said Andy Page, director and naval architect at Chartwell Marine. “With its performance and versatility, the Ambitious delivers on the needs of the growing U.S. market.”
“St. Johns Ship Building is excited to be working with Charlie Donadio and to be part of Atlantic Wind Transfers’ successful CTV operation and their extensive planned new vessel construction program,” said Jeff Bukoski, president of the shipyard. “This effort further solidifies our position as a leading supplier of Jones Act-compliant CTVs for the offshore wind industry (while) working with highly experienced European naval architects such as Chartwell Marine. We know that our skilled workers also appreciate the additional opportunity to showcase their high-quality craftmanship and will allow continued growth and opportunity.”
– Atlantic Wind Transfers
