Offshore Wind Services orders New Twin Axe Vessel

Dutch company Offshore Wind Services, a specialist in providing crew transfer vessels to the offshore wind industry, is the first to order the next generation Damen Twin Axe Fast Crew Supplier 2610.

With the contract signed end-December 2013, the construction of the new vessel began immediately and is set to be delivered in October this year. 

Introduced to the market in 2011, the Damen Twin Axe Fast Crew Supplier 2610 has already established itself as “The Industry Standard” for the offshore wind market, capable of operating further offshore in rougher weather conditions, while ensuring safe transfer and vast cargo capacity. 

Facilities for the technicians and the crew have been improved, with the addition of a pantry, changing room and a spare part area easily accessible at deck level. Furthermore, the operational capacity of the vessel has been upgraded by introducing modifications to bow thrusters and gearboxes. Eight CCTV cameras also give full coverage of the decks and vessel boundaries, which increases safety levels.

OWS is excited to be the first to add the next generation of the Twin Axe 2610 to its fleet. Workships Contractors’ managing director Jan Dirk Hudig comments: “Damen has further enhanced the FCS 2610 design over the last few years and OWS and one of our prospective clients have had considerable input in the process. This ensures that Damen is providing the market with a vessel entirely suited to the offshore wind industry, specialists like OWS and in turn, the end customers.”

Jelle Meindertsma, Damen sales manager Benelux, says: “We are delighted that OWS has chosen a Damen Twin Axe FCS 2610 vessel and very much look forward to working with the company in the future. Although the Damen Twin Axe is known for its passenger and crew comfort and ability to operate smoothly in higher sea states already, this has been further enhanced with the seating area placed on the bridge deck, giving passengers a full 360-degree view.”

The FCS 2610 design facilitates the safe transfer of personnel onto platforms or wind turbines at wave heights of more than 2.5m. The vessel has a maximum speed of 26 knots (with a range of 1,200 nm, depending on sea state). The Damen double Sea Axe Bow hull means that resistance is low, leading to excellent seakeeping behaviour and low fuel consumption.

The 26 x 10m vessel offers accommodation for a crew of four and up to 12 passengers. With ample working and storage space on deck it is possible to load various types of cargo with the onboard crane (20 tm), incl. either two 10” containers or two 20” containers. Furthermore, the vessel has a spacious rescue platform, HP cleaning unit, a three-point mooring system and extra mooring winches.