Re-equipping 'Seafox 5' for the next generation of wind turbines
Re-equipping 'Seafox 5' for the next generation of wind turbines
With the offshore wind market evolving rapidly as wind turbines grow in size and capacity, meeting the challenges of early vessel obsolescence is a big issue. In particular, the jack-up rigs that are essential for the initial installations and much of the subsequent maintenance need to keep pace as the next generation wind turbines capable of generating six megawatts and more of power reach heights of 200 meters plus.
Damen Verolme Rotterdam (DVR) has long experience in maintaining and modifying jack-ups of all sizes, and so it was a natural choice for jack-up specialist Seafox BV when they needed to lengthen the main boom of the Liebherr BOS 45000 – 1200 crane on board its Seafox 5 to allow it to reach new heights.
This modification enables the vessel to fulfil a contract with GeoSea to install 66 six-megawatt wind turbines at the Merkur wind farm off the coast of Germany. 151 meters long and with a breadth of 50 meters, Seafox 5 is the largest vessel in the Seafox fleet and as well as her 1,200 tonne main crane she has accommodation for up to 150 personnel. Her arrival at DVR in September 2017 marked her first time in drydock since her initial delivery.
Busy schedule
Modifying the crane required four months in the yard, but while she was there a series of other works were undertaken to take advantage of the stopover. These included a special periodic survey, testing the jacking system up to 70-meters above sea level, renewing the leg guide wear plates, installing a secondary Sormec crane and a repaint.
Seafox 5 Rig manager Alex Eijgenraam commented: “Seafox 5’s call at the Damen Verolme yard marked a busy and intense period for Seafox 5, its crew and office project team.
However, all the scheduled works were completed on time and without incident. Seafox 5 left the yard as good as new and ready for her next assignment for the offshore wind industry. The long experience of Damen Verolme Rotterdam with jack-up rigs has contributed greatly to this result.”
“It was a tight time frame, but we finished on time and to budget,” added Mark Heuders, Project Manager at DVR. “The key to success was, as always, preparation and cooperation, with careful planning of lead times for each activity and regular progress meetings. It has once again been a pleasure to work with Seafox.”
Discover more about 'Seafox 7'.
DAMEN VEROLME ROTTERDAM
Read moreDamen Verolme Rotterdam can accommodate any seagoing vessel or floating offshore unit. The yard is well known for its drydocking, repair and maintenance capabilities and has a long track record of modification and conversion of ‘upstream’ offshore units.
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