Windea Leibniz, a Service Operation Vessel (SOV) for the offshore wind industry, has been nominated 'Ship of the Year 2017' by the maritime magazine Skipsrevyen. The winner will be announced on 30 May at the Nor-Shipping exhibition.
'Windea Leibniz' is an ULSTEIN SX175 design and was delivered from Ulstein Verft in February 2017. The vessel's main task is to transport service technicians, tools and equipment from shore to offshore wind farms. Having arrived at the wind farm, the vessel will transfer technicians to and from the various wind turbines.
Service operation vessel Windea Leibniz, Ulstein yard number 310 at sea trial - Image courtesy of Per Eide Studio/Ulstein
Operational feedback on existing SOV vessels shows that the crew managements choose to operate the vessels in astern mode up to 75% of the time at offshore wind farms. This number is very likely to increase further on the ‘Windea Leibniz’ due to her patented X-STERN.
The SOV owners give various reasons for astern operations:
- It leads to a better overview of the vessel’s positioning, as the gangway, the turbine and the ship’s side can all be observed from the bridge
- Most power is installed in the aft part of the ship, enabling it to keep positioned more easily
- The vessel doesn’t have to turn around before leaving for the next turbine, saving manoeuvering time between turbine
X-STERN
Windea Leibniz is equipped with the new ULSTEIN X-STERN®. This aft design has been developed for the SOVs to work close to the offshore wind farm structures, disregarding the directions of wind or waves, or where it is headed next. The X-STERN is a follow-up of the X-BOW® fore ship design, both originating from Ulstein’s long experience in designing for the offshore industry.
The X-STERN was designed for increased operability and station-keeping whilst in dynamic positioning mode. The vertical transom plate, a very common aft shape, will create slamming when going backwards or when being positioned with the stern towards waves, wind and current. The X-STERN, however, is a pointed aft. The sloping and higher stern, with its sharp stern shape, improves offshore wind farm service and maintenance. This has an importance when it comes to the flexibility and efficiency of the vessel. The X-STERN improves the crew and passenger comfort and increases the operability through positive effects on station keeping, wave response and safety in harsh conditions. It operates with reduced power and fuel consumption while staying positioned.
Service operation vessel Windea Leibniz - Image courtesy of Oclin/Ulstein
Keeping up backward speed without reducing comfort
A vessel with the X-STERN can keep almost the same speed in backward mode as in forward mode without the occurrence of slamming or vibrations. The sister vessel ‘Windea La Cour’ has demonstrated the ability to sail astern at a speed of 12.1 knots, just 1.8 knots shy of her forward speed, and she is easily manoeuvred both ways. At the sea trial, the crew management noted the vessel’s smooth motions and the very low levels of noise and vibrations, all these being important factors in a vessel in which one of the main tasks is to transport and accommodate service technicians.
Source: Ulstein