Gallery: Siemens' service vessels unveiled

GERMANY: The Esvagt Froude and Esvagt Faraday purpose-built offshore service operations vessels are the first dedicated offshore wind service operations vessels of their kind.

by Jacki Buist 26 June 2015

  • One of two new wind farm service operations vessels, can accommodate 40 technicians at wind farms further from shore

    One of two new wind farm service operations vessels, can accommodate 40 technicians at wind farms further from shore

  • Siemens has chartered the Esvagt Froud for five years to service EnBW's Baltic II wind farm

    Siemens has chartered the Esvagt Froud for five years to service EnBW's Baltic II wind farm

  • Esvagt Faraday will service Butendiek in the North Sea, owned by Wpd, during Siemens' 10-year contract

    Esvagt Faraday will service Butendiek in the North Sea, owned by Wpd, during Siemens' 10-year contract

  • The hydraulic heave-compensated Ampelmann platform on deck is one of the methods of personnel transfer

    The hydraulic heave-compensated Ampelmann platform on deck is one of the methods of personnel transfer

  • It operates in significant wave heights of up to 2.5m

    It operates in significant wave heights of up to 2.5m

  • A view from the bridge. Deck equipment includes two cranes, the Ampelmann platform and three boats

    A view from the bridge. Deck equipment includes two cranes, the Ampelmann platform and three boats

  • SV12 crew transfer vessel docking at the Esvagt Froud

    SV12 crew transfer vessel docking at the Esvagt Froud

  • The high-tech navigation and operation equipment on board for the diesel-electric engine and DP system

    The high-tech navigation and operation equipment on board for the diesel-electric engine and DP system

  • The engine incorporates a Siemens BlueDrive DC system that reduces fuel use and noise without diminishing speed

    The engine incorporates a Siemens BlueDrive DC system that reduces fuel use and noise without diminishing speed

  • The workshop for repairs. There are storage facilities for small parts

    The workshop for repairs. There are storage facilities for small parts

  • As well as TVs and wi-fi in their own cabins, technicians have use of two TV/gaming rooms

    As well as TVs and wi-fi in their own cabins, technicians have use of two TV/gaming rooms

  • The gym, with robust exercise equipment

    The gym, with robust exercise equipment

  • The first aid room

    The first aid room

  • The newly-designed Safe Transfer Boat SV12A, the largest onboard vessel, carries eight technicians

    The newly-designed Safe Transfer Boat SV12A, the largest onboard vessel, carries eight technicians

  • Three offshore access vessels: an 8-person transfer boat, a 7-person transfer boat, and a fast rescue boat

    Three offshore access vessels: an 8-person transfer boat, a 7-person transfer boat, and a fast rescue boat

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The first new far-shore offshore maintenance vessels will begin operations this week in Baltic Sea and North Sea, providing on-site accommodation and repair facilities to Siemens turbines.

The vessels can provide accommodation for up to 40 technicians, storage for small turbine parts and a workshop. They have personnel transfer capabilities in up to 2.5 metre significant wave height.

And the vessels include a Safe Transfer Boat (STB) 12 and smaller STB 7 vessel for transfer to turbines, as well as an Ampelmann walk-to-work system that compensates for wave motion.

The twin vessels are already fully committed to a wind project each, and are chartered by Siemens to support their servicing contracts of the wind projects.

Both Baltic II and Butendiek have 80 Siemens 3.6MW turbines, but are sited far enough from shore to make daily trips for the technicians uneconomical.

The vessels can stay at the site for periods of two weeks to a month. Siemens has a servicing contract of five years at Baltic II, owned by EnBW and ten years at Butendiek, owned by Wpd.