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Damen’s new-generation FCS vessel starts sea trials
Damen Shipyards is testing the first of its new 74-m fast crew supplier (FCS) vessels it has built for the North Sea oil, gas and renewables sectors
The Dutch group has begun final commissioning and sea trials of Aqua Helix, its FCS-7011 class vessel.
Damen said the crew transfer gangway has been installed and Aqua Helix is now in the final stages of its sea trials, with its systems being tested before Aqua Helix is available for crew transfers in the Dutch sector of the North Sea.
Aqua Helix will operate out of Den Helder in the Netherlands, with the initial focus of this vessel supplying offshore wind and oil and gas operators.
“The first transfers using the gangway will take place in March,” said Damen. Aqua Helix will then “be available for customer demonstrations as a fully integrated offshore crew supply solution.”
This FCS-7011 vessel will have a top speed of 40 knots and capacity to accommodate 122 passengers.
Damen installed an S-type motion-compensated Ampelmann gangway in late December 2021, an important element in this FSC vessel, which was “engineered for minimum weight and fully electrical operation,” said Damen. “The gangway plays a vital role in offshore crew transfers along with the VEEM gyrostabiliser and a range of other state-of-the-art systems.”
Damen said Aqua Helix will “ensure safe, rapid and cost-effective personnel transfers to and from the vessel in a wide range of sea states.”
Prospective customers have already visited this vessel in Den Helder harbour.
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