(PALATKA, Fla.) — St. Johns Ship Building held a keel-laying ceremony on Sept. 8 for the first of a series of aluminum crew transfer vessels (CTVs) used to service the offshore wind farm industry.
The announcement follows the Jones Act shipyard’s acquisition by Americraft Marine earlier this year. The CTVs will be servicing U.S. offshore wind projects for construction, operations, and maintenance.
The Chartwell 24 aluminum catamarans have the capacity to transport 24 personnel to and from wind turbines with speed, safety and stability. The vessels were commissioned by the Rhode Island-based Atlantic Wind Transfers (AWT), which participated in the ceremony.
“We are proud to be chosen as part of Atlantic Wind Transfers successful CTV operation. St. Johns Ship Building appreciates the trust and confidence that Charlie Donadio, president and founder of AWT, and his team have placed in our hardworking and dedicated employees,” said Jeff Bukoski, president of St. Johns Ship Building. “We will also continue to make improvements to our facilities that allow us to construct greater numbers of similar newbuild vessels.”
“Our team is excited to be moving forward building with St. Johns,” Donadio said. “This collaborative design-build strategy will enable AWT to parlay its experience to provide future charter clients with the most reliable multipurpose crew transfer vessels in the U.S. in the years to come.”
Ambitious, Chartwell Marine’s flagship CTV design, will be U.S. Jones Act-compliant, certified under U.S. Coast Guard Subchapter L and able to operate at any wind farm under the safety and inspection standards of the Coast Guard. AWT currently operates the two crew transfer vessels in the U.S. under long-term contracts, servicing the Block Island Wind Farm for Orsted and Coastal Virginia Offshore Wind Farm for Dominion Energy.
“We are excited for the opportunity to commence building this series of CTVs for Charlie and his team at AWT. With the owner’s choice of a proven vessel design and our dedication to quality craftsmanship and manufacturing, I look forward to an outstanding result as we further bolster our contribution to the growth of renewable energy,” said Edward Sheets, executive vice president of Americraft Marine Group.
– St. Johns Ship Building
