(LONDON) — BMT, a leading international multi-disciplinary engineering, management and technology consultancy, has been awarded a design contract for three new crew transfer vessels (CTVs) to be operated at East Coast wind farms in the United States. The 88-foot CTV design features BMT’s latest innovations to maximize safety, performance, seakeeping and fuel economy.
The design features a lightweight Z-bow hull form to improve seakeeping characteristics as well as offer very high efficiency, thereby reducing emissions. To ensure the safest transfer operations, the vessel utilizes a proven latest generation Active Fender System (AFS), designed and customized by BMT, to facilitate both monopile and conventional landing tube transfers. Fitted to the bow of the vessel, the AFS operates as a suspension system, which reduces impact loads and dampens the initial engagements with the turbine tower.
The vessel has also been designed to maximize crew and passenger comfort to provide the best possible environment for work in challenging conditions, and the large superstructure is fitted on resilient mounts that absorb noise and vibration. The layout offers plenty of space for 24 technicians.Below decks there are comfortable cabins able to accommodate six crew. The vessel will also be utilized to carry and deliver cargo, with a large foredeck area to accommodate high volumes of goods.
The vessel is propelled by highly efficient quad Volvo IPS 900s, which deliver speeds up to 26 knots, combined with bollard thrust in excess of 15 tonnes while maintaining outstanding maneuverability.
The three vessels will be built by Senesco in North Kingstown, R.I., under ABS classification meeting U.S. Coast Guard Subchapter L regulations.
– BMT Group
