Houlder and BMT Nigel Gee say their jointly-developed offshore wind turbine access system (TAS) has successfully completed an extensive set of trials off the North Wales coast.
The TAS was fitted to the 24m workboat Cemlyn Bay operated by Turbine Transfers for four weeks of trials at RWE’s Rhyl Flats offshore windfarm.
The Houlder/BMT system is a lightweight motion compensated gangway that is claimed to provide “substantially improved access” to offshore wind turbines for maintenance personnel.
“It considerably increases the level of safety and operability, both of which are prime goals for offshore windfarm operators and developers,” they say.
A key feature of the TAS is that it can be fitted to a wide range of existing windfarm support vessels (many are small by offshore oil and gas support vessel standards) as it does not require the host vessel to have DP (dynamic positioning) nor does the TAS platform connect to the turbine structure in any way.
The Cemlyn Bay made multiple trips to the RWE site, 8km north-west of the coastal holiday resort Llandudno, completing trials on September 21.
Despite experiencing wave heights in excess of 1.8m, Houlder/BMT say the TAS gangway provided a stable transfer platform with the system performing within its safe operating limits.
Frederic Perdrix, Houlder chief technical officer, said after the trials: “It’s one thing seeing an animation but actually seeing it on a wind turbine in heavy seas was most impressive.”
Hazel Phillips, charter manager at Turbine Transfers, said the TAS had performed well and said it “provides a step change in transfer safety and operability”.
Further assessment of the TAS is now planned as RWE, supported by the Carbon Trust, has shown interest in undertaking further trials.
