Ferguson’s ‘AVS Pioneer’ Vessel Demonstrates Its Capabilities

The Ferguson Group’s multi-purpose offshore service vessel, the ASV Pioneer, has demonstrated exactly how these vessels can be used, supporting a North Sea wind farm project which involved the installation of 140 wind turbines, with a total capacity of 500 megawatts – enough to power around 530,000 homes.

For the wind farm project ASV Pioneer’s 1100 m2 open deck space was specifically configured to house a cable lay carousel, as well as tow a plough designed for simultaneous lay and burial of submarine cable systems. The flexible deck space, with a load capacity of 15 tonnes/m2, means that it is ideal for projects within the energy industry, many of which involve carrying heavy loads and specialist equipment. The on-board mezzanine deck service crane is well equipped for projects in the renewable sector, with a lifting capability of 7.5 tonnes at 25 metres.

In addition to the cable laying support provided for the wind farm project, the ASV Pioneer was also set up to supply accommodation for up to 120 personnel during the work. The barge’s high specification accommodation has been designed with quality and safety in mind, with A60 accommodation and ancillary modules manufactured to DNV 2.7-1 / EN 12079 standards. Whilst the vessel is currently configured for 120 POB (people on board), this can be increased to 220 POB subject to client requirements.

The accommodation complex also includes en-suite facilities and a range of ancillary modules including galley, mess, gym, medical and recreational facilities.

As well as cable lay, the versatility of the ASV Pioneer means that it can support a range of offshore activities such as construction, heavy load transportation, salvage and act as a storage solution or an offshore operations base.

The vessel is well equipped to support work in the oil and gas and marine salvage industries, the latter of which was recently proven through the ASV Pioneer’s support on the Costa Concordia salvage project.

ASV Pioneer is particularly well suited to offshore environments in the Mediterranean, West Africa, the Middle East and Asia Pacific, as well as renewables projects in areas such as offshore Germany or Denmark. With the Renewable Energy Policy Network (REN21) reporting last year that 138 countries have renewables policies or targets in place, and global demand still rising, companies supporting the sector need to make the most of the opportunities that are being presented.