Damen delivers wind farm vessels to MCS

JULY 11, 2013 — Maritime Craft Services (Clyde) Ltd. recently took delivery of three more Twin Axe design wind farm support vessels from Damen Shipyards Singapore.

The addition of the latest three Damen Twin Axe Fast Crew Supplier (FCS) 2610s follows the successful introduction of the MCS Sirocco and MCS Pampero last year.

Maritime Craft Services (MCS) Managing Director Dirk Kuijt says, “It is good business practice to have a mix of different type of CTV’s, but as yet we have not found a more reliable, safe and comfortable Crew Transfer Vessel as the Twin Axe to contemplate this mix.”

The FCS 2610 design enables the safe transfer of personnel onto platforms or wind turbines at wave heights of more than 2.5 meters. Other distinctions are the maximum speed of 26 knots (with a range of 1,200 nm, depending on sea state) and the low fuel consumption, another result of the low-resistance double Sea Axe bow.

The 26 m x 10 m 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), including either two 10 ft containers or two 20 ft containers. Furthermore, the vessel shows a spacious rescue platform, HP cleaning unit, a three-point mooring system and extra mooring winches.

The three new vessels are named MCS Kaver, MCS Blue Norther and MCS Levanto and will be deployed in the Shetland Islands, Germany and Denmark in offshore wind farm support and maintenance activities.

MCS has also ordered two more Twin Axe Fast Crew Suppliers, which will be delivered by the end of this month. These will be named MCS Coromell and MCS Boreas.

Based in Largs, Ayrshire (UK), MCS has more than 30 years’ experience, the Scottish family firm operates a 19-strong fleet of tugs and workboats internationally and has several Damen vessels including Multi Cats, Shoalbusters and Dredge Helpers. MCS has been active in the offshore wind market for many years and decided to enter the crew transfer market in 2011.