Germany: BARD Charters JB 117 Jack-Up Vessel

The BARD Group is intensifying its construction activities in the development site of BARD Offshore 1, the first commercial offshore wind farm in the North Sea located around 100 kilometres off the island coast of Borkum. From now on, the JB 117 belonging to the Dutch company Jack-Up Barge B.V. will be used for the first time since its completion at the end of 2011.

The installation vessel constructed in the Indonesian province of Banten will gradually replace the Jackup barge Thor from Hochtief AG that will continue its activities in the construction site until the end of 2012.

From its position anchored on the ocean bed, the JB 117 has a working depth of 40 metres and more. Its crane has a lifting capacity of up to 1,000 tonnes, making it the most powerful on the construction site. The JB 117 installation vessel boasts an excellent transport capacity with enough space to transport two nacelles, two e-units as well as four tower segments to the construction site. It can also accommodate up to 40 employees.

The JB 117 is 76 m long and has a breadth of 40 m. She was transported to Rotterdam by sea at the beginning of 2012 and then towed to Eemshaven where the remaining work was carried out on the installation vessel prior to its operations on the high seas. Together with the JB 115, the Thor till Dec. 2012 and BARD’s own Windlift 1, the JB 117 will ensure that work on the BARD Offshore 1 wind farm is completed by the end of 2013.

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Offshore WIND staff, May 10, 2012; Image: BARD