CWind has invested in what is the company’s largest crew transfer vessel (CTV) to date, a 2015-built, 27.4 metre catamaran, re-named to CWind Phantom.
The new CTV can hold 20,000 litres of fuel and has a 20 ton cargo capacity, making her suitable for longer stretches of work at wind farms located further from shore, CWind said.
CWind’s fleet now totals 18, with access to additional cable installation and maintenance vessels via CWind’s parent company, Global Marine Systems Limited.
“The CWind Phantom is designed to exhibit reliability, superior fuel efficiency, high transfer height during operations and a large, flexible payload capability, all crucial specifications for the harsh conditions far from shore. Highly seaworthy and with impressive seakeeping ability, the CWind Phantom is also extremely manoeuvrable for a vessel of her size, with a proven and reliable propulsion combination,” said Lee Andrews, Managing Director for Power at CWind.
The CWind Phantom can carry up to 12 passengers, with berths for eight people.
Featuring an aluminium hull with 8m beam width and 1.4m draft, CWind Phantom can carry containers in a combination of configurations, while an on board crane can lift 1.1 tons at 5m outreach. The jet-driven vessel is powered by two MAN D2862 main engines and is capable of reaching a maximum speed of 27kn.
CWind took ownership of the vessel on 1 February. Following a mini-refit, the CWind Phantom will be available to start work on 1 March.
“There is currently significant demand for vessels with the ability to work further offshore and we are already seeing client interest in the CWind Phantom. Ultimately, this investment enables us to provide a more integrated offering for both the construction and operations and maintenance phases of an offshore wind farm project,” said Andrews.