MCS becomes the largest Twin axe owner and operator to services for offshore built wind turbines
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Maritime Craft Services (Clyde) Ltd. took delivery of three more Twin Axe wind farm support vessels in June and two more will arrive next month. With the introduction of the five new Damen Twin Axe Fast Crew Suppliers, MCS has the largest Twin Axe fleet in the offshore wind industry.
The addition of the latest three Damen Twin Axe Fast Crew Supplier 2610s follows the successful introduction of two vessels of the same type in 2012, the MCS Sirocco and MCS Pampero.
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.”
First jobs
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 end-July. 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.
Damen Shipyards Singapore
All the vessels have been built at Damen Shipyards Singapore, which is a Group specialist in high-speed aluminium craft. To meet demand for the Twin Axe FCS 2610 Damen builds them continuously for stock.
About the Twin Axe Fast Crew Supplier (FCS) 2610:
The FCS 2610 design enables the safe transfer of personnel onto platforms or wind turbines at wave heights of more than 2.5 metres. 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 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), incl. either two 10” containers or two 20” containers. Furhtermore, the vessel shows a spacious rescue platform, HP cleaning unit, a three-point mooring system and extra mooring winches.
20 stock vessels
In order to serve growing demand for this type of Offshore Wind high-speed support vessel (of which Damen has sold 19 in two years’ time), some 20 vessels are currently being built for stock. Part of this stock can be outfitted and finished according to customer demands. Because of its standardisation and stock-building philosophy, Damen offers very short delivery times.
Smaller version built for stock
Four FCS 2008, the smaller sister of the 2610, are also under construction at Damen Shipyards Den Helder (the Netherlands)
History
Introduced to the market in June 2011, the Damen Twin Axe Fast Crew Supplier 2610 has already established itself as “The Industry Standard” for the offshore wind market. However, the vessel is suitable in multiple roles and provides a very stable platform for diving, surveying and support, being able to carry two 20ft containers and it can work with jack-up platforms. The type can be used to deliver cargo to platforms and carry out crew transfers to and from the platform via man baskets, due to its large deck space forward.
A short video of this vessel type is available at youtube.com
click on: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9s5Xb5aBDD0
Damen Shipyards Group
Damen Shipyards Group (est. 1927) operates more than 55 shipyards, repair yards and related companies worldwide. Damen employs over 8,000 people in 35 countries, has delivered over 5,000 vessels since 1969 and delivers some 150 vessels annually to worldwide customers. Based on its unique, standardised ship-design concept and short delivery times, Damen is able to guarantee consistent quality.
Damen’s focus on standardisation, modular construction and keeping vessels in stock leads to short delivery times, low ‘total cost of ownership’, high resale value, proven technology and reliable performance. Damen offers a wide range of products, including: tugs, workboats, patrol vessels, high speed craft, cargo vessels, dredgers, offshore support vessels, oil-spill response vessels, frigates and super yachts. For nearly all vessel types Damen offers a broad range of Services, such as Lifecycle Maintenance Services, Customer Finance, Training and transfer of (shipbuilding) knowledge.
In addition to ship design and shipbuilding, Damen Shiprepair & Conversion offers a network of 16 ship repair & conversion yards worldwide, most of which are conveniently located along the North Sea coast from Brest (France) to Gothenburg (Sweden). Damen Shiprepair & Conversion operates 40 dry docks of all types and sizes and offers onsite/onboard repair services. Conversion projects range from refitting small fishing vessels into private yachts to the complete conversion or rebuilding of large jack-up rigs.
For further information please contact
Jan-Hein Reeringh
Communications Advisor
+31 (0)183 63 98 82
+31 (0)612 20 77 96
Jan.Hein.Reeringh@damen.com
www.damen.com
