MPI Offshore’s wind-turbine installation vessel (WTIV), MPI Resolution, is ready to operate in deeper waters after works to extend the vessel’s six legs have been completed.
The leg extensions are now class approved and fully operational, Vroon said.
The upgrade work took place over a 60-day conversion programme carried out at MPI Offshore’s Tees offshore base in Middlesbrough, UK.
During the upgrade period, MPI Resolution was jacked-up to a deck height 25 metres above the quay in order to gain production benefits during the upgrade works to each of the six legs. Access from quay level to the deck was provided by two temporary erected stair towers.
These improvements to MPI Resolution will allow jacking operations to be carried out in up to 35 metres of water depths, including allowances for leg penetration and air gap. This represents a gain of up to 7 metres on the previous jacking capabilities of the vessel, MPI said.
Modification works started in mid-September and the ten-week work schedule was undertaken by local fabrication and engineering firm -Wilton Engineering Services Ltd.
MPI Resolution is the world’s first purpose-built WTIV. Designed to transport, lift, install and decommission components, the vessel features a dynamic-positioning system,a jacking system, 3,200m2 deck space, accommodation facilities and 600Te lifting capacity.
In late 2015, the 2003-built MPI Resolution underwent an upgrade to full DP II classification. The possibility to install leg extensions was foreseen during construction, with the vessel’s design accommodating this option.