Naval architect Chartwell Marine and BAR Technologies are to collaborate to develop a new generation of crew transfer vessels (CTVs)
The partnership will focus on vessel designs ranging from 30-m CTVs to 60-m service accommodation and transfer vessels (SATVs), making use of BAR’s patented foil optimisation and stabilisation system (FOSS).
The FOSS concept was revealed exclusively by OWJ earlier this year. BAR Technologies was formed in 2016 to make available a wealth of design knowledge, technical skills and intellectual property developed through involvement in Britain’s attempt to win back the America’s Cup.
BAR Technologies – with support from Chartwell – has created a 30-m vessel with vertical accelerations that, it claims, are up to 70% lower than a conventional design in 2.5-m wave heights, helping with motion sickness and offering greater levels of availability in rougher seas.
BAR’s FOSS technology, which helps to dampen pitch and roll, will also be an option available on new Chartwell vessels, and can be offered and applied to Chartwell’s Chartwell 24 vessel, further enhancing its seakeeping capability and renowned manoeuvrability.
Chartwell Marine managing director Andy Page said, “As offshore wind expands globally, the challenges of constructing and maintaining windfarms in a variety of areas requires forward thinking CTV operators to make use of the full range of vessels available to the market.
“With industry demand coalescing around larger vessels, there is a clear opportunity to deploy the latest technology and knowledge from other maritime sectors to deliver a new range of 30-m+ CTVs which satisfy the growing requirements of offshore wind whilst meeting the latest needs in efficiency.”
BAR Technologies chief executive John Cooper said “We see the Chartwell 24 and BAR 30-m vessels as natural partners.
“The former provides high versatility, high payload and large deck space, while the latter demonstrates up to 50% fuel efficiency savings at 15 knots and advanced seakeeping at speed, which is particularly noticeable on longer journeys – as well as great static seakeeping attributes.
“Chartwell’s strong engineering capability and design heritage has allowed us to create an advanced solution for owner-operators based on their varied project requirements.”
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