Remaining at sea for several days at a time, Manor Renewable Energy’s new vessel will support windfarm operations farther offshore than a conventional CTV
Manor Renewable Energy’s large crew transfer vessel (CTV) Manor Venture has been well-received by the offshore wind industry since it entered service in 2017. The versatile vessel differs from a typical CTV having been designed with more deck space and load-carrying capacity than a typical CTV, while maintaining speeds of up to 22 knots and remaining offshore when required.
Since entering service, it has also proved to be well-suited to another role. As windfarms move further offshore, temporary power has become increasingly important, and the vessel has been involved in projects where this was required during the construction and commissioning phase.
Manor Venture has a large fuel capacity compared to many vessels, so needs less frequent refuelling and has a rapid refuelling system for temporary power generators. It also has a dedicated onboard survey suite for a range of survey operations, bow and stern fenders for optional cargo transfer, a deck area of 127 m2 with a high specification crane and even a moonpool for diving operations.
Now the company has taken the next step in its evolution, and is building an improved version of the design, to be named Manor Endurance. It will have a similar hull to Manor Venture but will carry 24 windfarm technicians rather than the 12 on Venture. As with Venture, the vessel is being built in conjunction with Walker Marine Design. It will be classed by Bureau Veritas.
Manor Renewable Energy operations director Leif Cooper tells OWJ, “Following the success of the vessel on the Galloper and Arkona offshore wind projects, Manor Venture has proven its versatility. With the new vessel, we have adapted and modified the design using lessons learnt over the last 18 months.”
Like Venture, Endurance is designed to remain at sea for five to six days, but as Mr Cooper explains, will differ from its predecessor in one or two other respects. “Endurance will use batteries to provide power to the accommodation, once we are on station,” he explains. “This will reduce fuel consumption on board and make life a bit quieter for passengers.” Mr Cooper says the company investigated battery power for propulsion, as other CTV owners have. It believes they have a lot of potential but the technology “is not quite there yet.”
Endurance will have a different propulsion system to Venture, with four smaller diesel engines than the older vessel and a Volvo Penta IPS. The new vessel will also have an A-frame for use during survey work. At 26 m x 11 m, it will have a maximum speed of 25 knots, tank capacity of 45 tonnes of fuel and fresh water and extensive deck space and craneage. It will be capable of direct personnel transfer operations or, for more project-related scopes, can provide onboard accommodation with a galley and extensive facilities.
“This is a vessel that will be able to work anywhere in Europe and has the capability to stay offshore on the next generation of windfarm projects for prolonged periods, reducing costs and increasing productivity,” Mr Cooper says, noting that the newbuild is due to be launched by April 2020 at the latest and is due to participate in the Seawork exhibition on the UK’s south coast in June 2020.
Endurance is not the company’s only vessel project, however. It recently acquired two smaller CTVs, MPI Cervantes and MPI Cardenio, which it is refitting and extending, that will also be capable of providing temporary power when required.
© 2023 Riviera Maritime Media Ltd.