Photos: Ulstein’s Innovative Ship Starts Work In Offshore Wind Service

Only two years have passed since Ulstein Group introduced the X-STERN hull line innovation at the ONS maritime exhibition in Stavanger. Shortly after, two Service Operation Vessels (SOV) for the offshore wind industry were contracted by BS Offshore, Germany. The vessels were chartered by Siemens.

The X-STERN effect on flexibility and comfort

The X-STERN is a pointed stern instead of a conventional transom (flat) stern. Flexibility in operations is one of the major benefits with the X-STERN. Comfort is increased due to reduced vibrations and slamming. Flexibility and comfort are key assets to the ‘Windea La Cour’, which will be accommodating, transporting and transferring technicians from shore and to the wind turbines in the Gemini wind farm offshore the Netherlands. The vessel can swiftly move between wind installations.

Proved her abilities on sea trial

On the sea trial, the crew wanted to test the vessel’s abilities going astern, pushing the vessel to the max speed backwards. As a result of the X-STERN, the ship managed to keep a speed of 12.1 knots while backing, as compared to her forward speed of 13.95 knots, a difference of less than 2 knots.

No bow or stern impact

The X-STERN shares much of the same characteristics as the proven and patented X-BOW bow design, which is also a design element in the ‘Windea La Cour’. The vessel will experience no bow or stern impact in terms of slamming, as the acceleration levels are lower. Also, vibration levels will be lower and the sustained speed is higher.

Ship number two under construction

BS Offshore has another SOV vessel under construction by the shipbuilding yard, Ulstein Verft. The ship is built, equipped and painted inside a covered dock hall, ensuring a controlled atmosphere and the best quality of work. The vessel will be launched from the dock hall in two months’ time, before going on sea trial at the end of the year.

Experienced shipbuilder

Yard number 309, the ‘Windea La Cour’ was an on-date-delivery by Ulstein Verft, delivered on 23 June 2016. Ulstein Verft is an experienced yard with a history dating back to 1917, and is specialised in building advanced prototype vessels, as well as taking on ship repairs and conversions, which includes engineering.

We are at ONS 2016

Join us for a chat and snack on board the ‘Thor’ sailing boat 29-31 August, from 8 p.m. till late. The boat is in the Vågen harbour, in the town centre of Stavanger.

Reference: ulstein.com