Incat Crowther Announces 17.5m Catamaran Designed for Wind Farm Service Industry (UK)

Incat Crowther is pleased to announce the launch of the 17.5m catamaran, Santa Ana, a vessel specifically designed for the wind farm service industry.

Built by Lyme Boats in the UK, Santa Ana features Incat Crowther’s proven hull form, which brings new levels of stability, safety, comfort, efficiency and flexibility to the wind farm service craft market. Operator P&O Maritime Services saw the platform’s potential for wind farm service, and worked closely with Lyme Boats and Incat Crowther to develop the vessel’s design.

Santa Ana recently completed extensive sea keeping trials, which were endorsed by a brace of vessel operators on board for the trials. “We are extremely happy to have her in the water to show the world what she can do”, said Lyme Boats principal Brian Pogson. “Everybody worked very hard on the development and construction of Santa Ana, so we are justifiably proud to hit the market with a real boat built for real operators.”

Santa Ana is distinguishable by its twin cargo areas, one aft and one on the foredeck. The aft cargo area has space for a 10 foot sea container, and has a capacity of 10 tonnes. The foredeck cargo zone has capacity for 4 tonnes. The vessel is specifically designed to interface with wind farm pylons, allowing transfer of crew and cargo over the bow, stern or alongside.

To enhance the flexibility of the vessel, there are crane bases located on the foredeck, as well as the upperdeck outboard. This will allow the operator flexibility to configure the crane location as necessary for the contracted service.

Between these two cargo areas is the main cabin, featuring comfortable seating for 12 passengers with tables,lockers, a large galley and lounge, as well as wet room and shower facilities.

On the upper deck is the wheelhouse with excellent vision of both cargo areas. Safety is further enhanced bythe addition of “pilot-style” windows in the forward wheelhouse roof, which afford the operator the ability to observe the platform and crew heading up the turbine ladder.

Accessed from the main deck cabin, the hulls feature tank spaces amidships and two twin cabins each side forward.

Santa Ana represents a new era in Wind Farm Service Craft, bringing the hallmarks of Incat Crowther catamarans to the wind farm industry.

[mappress]

Source: incatcrowther, March 24, 2011