Damen books order for first Twin Axe Catamaran

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damen2ax540More than a year in development, the Twin Axe HSSV design is a further development of Damen's successful Sea Axe concept and the HSSV 2610 is particularly suited for offshore wind industry support.

Martijn Smit, Damen Sales Manager for Europe, says: "Given the tremendous potential growth in the offshore wind industry there is a great need for vessels to access turbines and this can often be in constraining weather conditions. We were driven to find a concept that improves on conventional catamaran designs."

Managing Director of Marineco UK, Mike Conafray, adds: "As a company we have been monitoring the current vessels available that service the offshore wind farms but we never felt comfortable joining in with the existing vessels. When Damen came along to us with their proposals we quickly realized that by introducing them we would be able to offer the market a much enhanced vessel that would suit most of its needs."

The Damen HSSV 2610 has been undergoing thorough testing at Delft University in the Netherlands.

"There have been 'stunning' results in the vessel's seakeeping behavior, resistance and at the same time, it has much lower fuel consumption," Mr. Smit says, adding that the design is an extension of the Damen enlarged ship concept.

"The raised work deck and sea axe bows enable the vessel to keep up its speed in a higher sea state and that is crucial for the offshore industry. And as many of the wind turbines will be located in challenging seas, this greatly extends the operating window."

The new vessel has dimensions of 26 m x 10 m. It has accommodations for four crew and can transport 12 passengers.

Features include a 20 tm deck crane, a spacious diving platform, HP cleaning unit and extra mooring winches.

The vessel is thus suited for a diverse range of activities for supporting and supplying the offshore wind industry, as well as the wider offshore sector. Ample working and storage space on deck make it suitable for a variety of cargoes, including containers.

With a fuel capacity of 12,000 liters, t can be used tio transfer fuel to wind turbines.

Classed by Bureau Veritas, the vessel operates under the Workboat Code, Category 1.

Depending on the sea state, the maximum speed will be 26 knots with a range of 640 nm.

Currently under construction at Damen Gorinchem in the Netherlands, the vessel is expected to be ready by June 2011.

damen2axmicroMarineco UK, Edinburgh, Scotland, has signed an order with Damen Shipyards, Gorinchem, the Netherlands, for High Speed Support Vessel (HSSV 2610) with an option for a second. Damen Shipyards Group says this is the first sale for its Twin Axe Catamaran.

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