Damen has created the FLOW-SV vessel design in anticipation of the impending large-scale floating wind farm installation, which will help to speed the development of this new marine segment.
Damen FLOW-SV ground tackles for offshore turbine floaters. The vessel can load and secure 9 anchors or suction piles with massive chain. A mission can moor three floating windmills. It also proof loads the anchors for fast installation.
The FLOW-SV is a large ship, 150 meters long and 32 meters wide. Anchors and chains for offshore floating wind turbines are so massive that a larger vessel is needed than ever before. The FLOW-SV minimizes transit and loading time by carrying all the supplies and equipment needed to install three floaters.
Three floaters installation capacity
Damen engineers calculated that the FLOW-SV needs five kilometres of chain (152 mm diameter chain links), 4.5 kilometres of fibre rope, 9 anchors each weighing 15 tons, almost 100 clump weights of 10 tons, D-shackles, tensioners, and steel cable to install three floaters in 100 meters of water. The ferry carries about 4,000 tons to transport the gear. Suction piles can replace anchors for secure ground tackle, depending on seabed conditions, depth, and wind farm operator requirements.
The FLOW-bow SV’s response anchor winch and thrusters provide bollard pull. 1,000 tons of proven load. Reversed bollard pull embeds the bow anchor on the FLOW-SV. She then installs the floater anchor. Proof loading the floater anchor ensures a stable seabed connection after letting out enough chain length. FLOW-four SV’s thrusters pull 400 tons of bollards. The forward anchor handling winch adds 600 tons to pulling power. The turbine floater anchor is under 1,000 tons of proof-load.
Methanol powered
The FLOW-SV uses methanol to install renewable energy. Safety restrictions for this future fuel require tanks and pipelines. Six generators power electric thrusters. The two fixed 5.5-metre propellers in nozzles are engaged to secure the floater anchors and maximize bollard pull. The azimuthing 4.5-metre propeller thrusters move the vessel between harbours and wind farms. Rudderless. All propulsion units minimize anchor chain interference.
TWD, FMS, and Intermoor helped Damen create FLOW-SV. Kongsberg and McGregor offered mission-critical equipment specs.
Image source: Damen