Sheringham Shoal awards vessel work to Wells-next-the-Sea contractor

The first contracts for the provision of vessels to the Sheringham Shoal Offshore Wind Farm have been awarded to North Norfolk contractor, Safety Boat Services.

Located in Wells-next-the-Sea, Safety Boat Services will begin work with the wind farm operator, Scira Offshore Energy, on April 15, with the contracts running until the end of the year.

The first contract is for the provision of transport for Scira personnel to the “Svanen” foundation installation vessel. The “Svanen”, operated by contractor MT Højgaard, will use a piling technique to install the 90 foundations required for the wind farm’s 88 turbines and two offshore substations.

The second contract is for the transportation of environmental contractors to the site to undertake mammal surveys during the piling operation, as well as for general inspection visits.

Safety Boat Services Commercial Director, Daniel Greeves said that the company has focused its business development efforts on providing services to wind farm developers, having recognised the wealth of opportunities the Greater Wash projects will bring to the area.

“We have worked on an ad hoc basis with Scira Offshore Energy for some years, and the learning from that groundwork helped enable us to win this important vessel contract,” Mr Greeves said.

“After many years of planning, we are looking forward to working on the Sheringham Shoal project as it begins offshore construction.”

Sheringham Shoal Plant Manager, Einar Strømsvag said that Safety Boat Services have a combination of marine experience and local knowledge that made it ideally placed to win this contract.

The Sheringham Shoal Offshore Wind Farm is owned equally by Statoil and Statkraft through the joint venture company Scira Offshore Energy Limited. Statoil is the operator for the project during the development phase. Scira will be the operator of the wind farm.

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Source: scira, March 26, 2010;