Blue Water Backs UK’s Offshore Wind Projects

During the first quarter of 2014, Blue Water has supported Swire Blue Ocean with port services for the Windfarm Installation Vessel (WIV) “Pacific Osprey” in the Port of Liverpool.

The vessel has been working at wind farms Walney, Burbo Bank and Rhyl flats in the Irish Sea and Blue Water has had a chance to prove how versatile the company is with its offshore services.

“We have handled crew changes, procurement, provision supply, transport and made all arrangements for hotel accommodation in close contact with the marine coordinators,” says Rob Ballance from Blue Water UK.

Blue Water also handled the vessel’s port call when it berthed at the Liverpool Cruise Terminal, co-ordinating all services for the visit. Due to operational and weather considerations, the call happened with short notice, but Blue Water handled bunkering, provisions, warehousing and delivery of spare parts, tugs and pilots. The pilots are required to board the vessel and guide it to its berth, as Liverpool has many sandbanks and a large tidal range. This requires local knowledge of the area to avoid possible damage to the ship and a safe port call.

Among the assignments was also the transport of a 43 t gearbox. The gearbox was placed on a barge and transported around the cruise terminal as it was not possible to load the gearbox from the quayside. The gearbox was loaded from the barge to the vessel using “Pacific Osprey’s” own crane.

On earlier occasions, Blue Water has provided support for the vessels “Pacific Osprey” and “Pacific Orca” including crew changes while the vessels were working on offshore wind projects in the Irish Sea.

Press release, April 2, 2014; Image: Blue Water Shipping