Bibby signs major deal for offshore vessel

BIBBY Marine Services, part of  Liverpool based Bibby Line Group’s portfolio of companies, has signed a contract with Dutch shipbuilder Damen for a purpose-built service operations vessel (SOV) to serve the offshore wind market.

The new ship, Bibby WaveMaster 1, represents the first collaboration of its kind between the two  companies.  

Drawing on its 200-plus year maritime heritage, Bibby is aiming to serve the marine needs of the offshore renewables market.

The offshore wind sector has grown significantly and Bibby WaveMaster 1 will meet the accommodation and access needs of wind farm operators that are constructing as part of ‘Round 3’ offshore wind developments.

Round 3 wind farms are located further from shore; to maintain and operate them efficiently, technicians remain at sea for up to one month at a time.

Stephen Blaikie, chief executive officer, Bibby Marine Services said: “Bibby WaveMaster 1 is a custom-designed 89m Service Operations Vessel with walk to work access and 60 high quality accommodation berths.

“The aim is to enable offshore wind operators to work more efficiently, more safely and in maximum comfort, for periods of up to 30 days at a time.

“The vessel is built on a stable DP-2 (Dynamic Positioning) platform so it offers very high operability. It will provide safe offshore transfers for personnel by way of a motion compensated access system (Walk to Work).  Equipment will be securely transferred by way of the heave compensated offshore-rated knuckle boom crane.

“With technicians on standby in the field 24/7, wind farm operators can act immediately to rectify expensive outages, even in the toughest of weather conditions.”