Wind turbine jack-up Sea Installer completes eight-day stopover at Damen Shiprepair Dunkerque
Damen Shiprepair Dunkerque (DSDu) has completed an eight-day refurbishment project for the 132-metre DP2, self-propelled, jack-up vessel Sea Installer. Operated by A2SEA, which was purchased in 2017 by DEME’s subsidiary GeoSea, Sea Installer was purpose-built in 2012 for installing the next generation of large wind turbines off the coast of Europe, the company said in its press release.
The primary task was the fitting of new spud can shoes to the vessel’s four columnar legs. These massive pieces of steelwork, weighing 160 tonnes each, required the deployment of specialist logistics including the use of self-propelled modular transporters to move them into position and a 700-tonne crawler crane.
While Sea Installer was in the drydock at DSDu, the client also took the opportunity to prepare her for the next contract. This required a substantial amount of steel work related to the installation and securing of equipment on deck including stairs, grillages and containers.
Sea Installer also had her thrusters overhauled and her external paintwork was refreshed with the branding changing from the blue and white of A2SEA to the green of DEME.
“With just eight days allotted for the repairs, the yard worked around the clock to ensure that everything was completed on time,” said Fabien Guillemot, commercial manager at Damen Shiprepair Dunkerque. “The logistics for the replacement of the spud cans required external resources, but at DSDu we have excellent access to the relevant specialist suppliers to enable the efficient completion of projects such as this.”
Torben Breyen, Vessel Superintendent at A2SEA, commented, “Prior to the docking we had several planning meetings as, with the installation of the shoes, modification of the jetting system, maintenance of two bow thrusters and painting of the topsides, the entire operation could have ended up a logistical nightmare given the short time available. However due to the good planning all the jobs were executed on time and with a satisfactory result.”
Sea Installer is now employed on the installation of 42 Siemens 7MW wind turbines at the Rentel offshore wind farm off the coast of Ostend, Belgium.
Damen Shipyards Group
Damen Shipyards Group operates 34 shipbuilding and repair yards, employing 10,000 people worldwide. Damen has delivered more than 6,000 vessels in more than 100 countries and delivers some 160 vessels annually to customers worldwide. Based on its unique, standardised ship-design concept 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 values and reliable performance. Furthermore, Damen vessels are based on thorough R&D and proven technology.
Damen offers a wide range of products, including tugs, workboats, naval and patrol vessels, high speed craft, cargo vessels, dredgers, vessels for the offshore industry, ferries, pontoons and superyachts.
For nearly all vessel types Damen offers a broad range of services, including maintenance, spare parts delivery, training and the transfer of (shipbuilding) know-how. Damen also offers a variety of marine components, such as nozzles, rudders, anchors, anchor chains and steel works.
Damen Shiprepair & Conversion (DSC) has a worldwide network of eighteen repair and conversion yards of which twelve are located in North West Europe. Facilities at the yards include more than 50 floating and (covered) drydocks, the largest of which is 420 x 90 metres, as well as slopes, ship lifts and indoor halls. Projects range from the smallest simple repairs through Class’ maintenance to complex refits and the complete conversion of large offshore structures. DSC completes around 1,300 repair and maintenance jobs annually, both at yards as well as in ports and during voyages.
