Norway’s Uptime International has entered into a contract with Damen Shipyards Group for delivery of an Uptime access solution for the Bibby WaveMaster 1, the Dutch shipbuilder’s first service operations vessel (SOV) currently under construction in Galati, Romania, for Bibby Marine Services.
The delivery consists of an Uptime motion compensated gangway and an adjustable pedestal.
The gangway will be integrated with an elevator for personnel transfer, which opens the possibility of transferring cargo from the warehouse deck up to and trough the gangway to the TP.
During the Vessel & Access in Amsterdam, Damen’s Business Development Manager Peter Robert said that the industry was asking for a far shore SOV that improves accessibility and reduces seasickness.
Damen’s solution is a new vessel, designed from scratch with offshore wind in mind. The vessel design represents more than two years of research, tests and development, making it possible to provide access to turbines in 3.1 metre wave height.
“In this perspective we are honored and humbled to be the chosen as the preferred gangway supplier for Bibby Wavemaster 1,” said Uptime’s Sales & Marketing Director Svein Ove Haugen.
The Bibby WaveMaster 1 is a 90m LOA (Length Overall) SOV, built on a DP-2 (Dynamic Positioning) platform and a Comfort Class 2 standard accommodation comprising 60 individual ensuite berths. Equipment will be transferred with a heave compensated offshore-rated knuckle boom crane.
The vessel is expected to be launched in mid-2017.
Photos: Uptime International