The off-the-shelf, Damen-built FCS 1605 will replace two older vessels that currently ferry crew to the world’s largest construction vessel, Pioneering Spirit
The FCS 1605 had already been built when Allseas placed its order, with Damen making a practice of building and keeping some of its vessel series in stock.
Damen added lightweight fenders to the stock vessel, which has been named Ricochet, to facilitate speedy transfers of crew.
Allseas head of technical services Marius Huige said, “We needed a vessel with sufficient seats that could move at high speeds and yet be fuel efficient. The lightweight aluminium design of the FCS 1650 takes care of this. What’s more, due to Damen having the vessel in stock, we were able to take delivery very quickly.”
The period from contract signing to delivery took three months, according to Damen.
Damen also supplied Allseas with the cradles with which to lift the FCS vessel aboard the Pioneering Spirit.
Ricochet will replace two older vessels and features waterjets that enable the vessel to sail at up to 30 knots and to manoeuvre well at low speed, according to Damen. The FCS 1605 will join a Damen Pushy Cat 804, Nutshell, already aboard Pioneering Spirit.
Pioneering Spirit was designed inhouse by Allseas for the installation and decommissioning of offshore structures. Capable of lifting platform topsides up to 48,000 tonnes and jackets up to 20,000 tonnes in a single piece, the twin-hulled vessel is 382 m long and 124 m wide.
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