Ørsted’s first US-made crew transfer vessel starts sea trials

WindServe Marine has floated out crew transfer vessel (CTV) Windserve Odyssey destined for the Coastal Virginia Offshore Wind (CVOW) project.

Windserve Odyssey is about to start sea trials at Ørsted’s Block Island wind farm, after which it will travel from Rhode Island to Virginia to join the closeout of construction and commissioning of CVOW.

“We’re happy to celebrate this achievement, which indicates the United States’ readiness for offshore wind and Rhode Island’s impressive capability for this type of shipbuilding!” Ørsted writes.

Last year, Ørsted placed an order with WindServe Marine for two purpose-built CTVs for the U.S. offshore wind market.

The second vessel will specifically be used for the Revolution Wind project offshore New England.

CVOW, developed by Ørsted and Dominion Energy, comprises two Siemens Gamesa 6 MW turbines installed some 27 miles off the coast of Virginia Beach.

The 12 MW project is expected to provide the operational, weather, and environmental experience needed for the 2.6 GW development in the adjacent 112,800 ha lease site, expected to be operational by 2026.