Seacat Intrepid Heads to Beatrice Offshore Wind Farm

Offshore Energy Support Vessel (OESV) operator Seacat Services has secured a contract with Beatrice Offshore Windfarm Limited (BOWL) to support the construction of the 588MW Beatrice offshore wind farm in the Outer Moray Firth, Scotland.

The contract comprises a 730-day logistical support charter for 26-metre catamaran, Seacat Intrepid, commencing on 25 September. Intrepid will be joined by sister vessel, Seacat Courageous, early next year, the Wick-based company said.

“Beatrice is our first Scottish project, and we’re looking forward to setting a benchmark for future wind farms in the region,” said Ian Baylis, Managing Director, Seacat Services.

“In doing so, we’ll be aiming to benefit from lessons learnt on UK projects, further strengthen collaboration and long-term relationships, and support opportunities for the regional economy. We currently have thirteen vessels and their crews operating off the east coast of the UK, and will always look to recruit locally where possible.”

BOWL is owned by SSE (40%), Copenhagen Infrastructure Partners (CIP) (35%) and Red Rock Power Limited (25%).

The project is in the offshore construction phase, with the installation of foundations for the 84 Siemens 7MW turbines and two Offshore Transformer Modules well underway. The wind farm is expected to be fully operational in 2019.

The wind farm will receive onshore support from the new Operations and Maintenance (O&M) hub at the Port of Wick, currently undergoing construction.

Seacat Services and SSE have previously cooperated on the Greater Gabbard wind farm off the coast of East Anglia.