Danish Yachts is to launch its advanced new range of commercial vessels – SeaStrider. Designed for high-speed passenger transport, SeaStrider is groundbreaking both in terms of design technology and build and is the first carbon fibre SWATH to be built.
The first boat under construction in the range is the SeaStrider SWATH for carrying service personnel and cargo to the Offshore Wind Farms, and for transit between the wind towers. This pioneering new vessel has already been tank tested to significant wave heights, permitting operation in almost all weather conditions, while maintaining safety and comfort. This version is designed to an overall length of 25 metres, providing ample space for 24 passengers and 5 crew over a range of around 500 nautical miles.
The purpose of this rugged high-speed craft is to carry initially the construction teams, and then the maintenance and emergency repair teams to and from the offshore windmill turbine farms efficiently, safely and in total comfort. The twin hull configuration with a beam of 10.6 metres, in itself provides more lateral stability. SeaStrider is easy to manoeuvre in high winds using precision controls to ensure safe placement of the turbine maintenance teams onto the wind tower dock at the base of the turbine. In addition for passenger and crew safety of transfer to the platform, the vessel is to be fitted with the base for use of a gyro transfer gangway on the transom.
This SWATH design has a clear bridge area with good all round vision, boasts comfortable seating and dining areas for passengers, at the same time providing comfortable crew sleeping quarters with 3 single and one double cabin.
Importantly SeaStrider is fitted with specially designed brackets for a single point lift, providing a “one wire” lift either on land or on a larger platform at sea. Once ashore, SeaStrider can be placed on a flat surface, without the need for any supports or a cradle.
A key factor for SeaStrider is the innovative construction techniques for which Danish Yachts is renowned. Lightweight carbon fibre build maximises fuel efficiency, and with less requirement for fuel capacity, this allows more room for passengers and cargo. This method of construction guarantees an extremely strong vessel at a reduced weight, ensuring minimum impact when mooring up at the wind tower. A further important element was to keep the vessels throughout their working life to the minimum maintenance down time, maximising their time on the water with planned budgetary outlays for refit.
Ship Owner Fredrik Odfjell, of Offshore Windservice , commented, “We are extremely pleased to be working with Danish Yachts in the build of this series of wind turbine service vessels, with their depth of experience and knowledge in innovative carbon construction. A key factor for our support fleet is stability in a large seaway and the ability to transfer between the towers at speed in severe conditions, vastly reducing down time for the maintenance teams while on operational duties at the wind farms.”
Henry Kierkegaard, CEO of Danish Yachts said, “We are delighted to be working on this project to provide a new generation of service vessels to the offshore wind turbine industry. It is significant that this is the first ever service vessel to be designed and built with an active ballast tank system – this means that the passenger experience on board will be even more stable on transfer to and from the wind towers.”
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World Maritime News Staff, January 31, 2012; Image: Danish Yachts