UPDATED: US-built crew transfer vessel for Ørsted starts trials

After sea trials at Ørsted’s Block Island windfarm, Odyssey will transit from Rhode Island to Virginia to join the closeout of construction and commissioning of the Coastal Virginia Offshore Wind (CVOW) project. The vessel was built at Senesco Marine.

Ørsted awarded a contract to WindServe Marine for CTVs in 2019 and entered into a partnership to construct two purpose-built crew transfer vessels for the US offshore wind market. WindServe Marine is part of Reinauer Group.

At the time of the award, the companies stated that the first CTV would be built by US Workboats in Hubert, North Carolina and utilised for the CVOW project, followed by subsequent service on other northeast projects.

They said the second CTV will be built by WindServe’s affiliate shipyard, Senesco Marine in North Kingstown, Rhode Island, specifically for Ørsted’s and Eversource’s Revolution Wind project off the southern New England coast. However, designer BMT has confirmed that both CTVs are now contracted to Senesco.

Speaking at the time that the contracts were awarded, Ørsted North America president and chief executive Thomas Brostrøm said: “Choosing WindServe to build our CTVs will provide locally-built vessels and a local operator for the domestic offshore wind industry.

“WindServe Marine’s experience with Jones Act vessel operations and full service shipyard fabrication, coupled with their dedication to the future of green energy, make them a great partner as we expand operations along the east coast.”

The CTVs are of BMT Group design and were designed specifically for US east coast conditions. They will be classed by DNV GL. The announcement said construction of the second CTV would commence in late 2020.