C-bed Floating Hotel’s advanced Service Operation Vessel (SOV), MS Wind Innovation, has now successfully completed all offshore testing.
Wind Innovation is the result of the extensive conversion of a former seismic survey vessel into a floating four-star hotel and project basecamp. With her DP2 capacity, Comfort Class 3 certification, and uptime compensated gangway system the SOV is expected to contribute greatly to the completion of the extensive 600 megawatt capacity Gemini Offshore Wind Park.
Final offshore testing successfully completed
The last stage of testing equipment and systems took place offshore the Port of Esbjerg, Denmark, which will also function as home port for Wind Innovation during the entire project contract period.
Final testing of the dynamic positioning system verified the expected operational criteria of 20m/s and 1.5 knots current. Also, the motion compensated gangway system has been thoroughly tested and approved for the expected 3m significant wave height.
‘Walk-to-work’ concept in demand
“We are confident that Wind Innovation meets all demands relating to the 2nd and 3rd round offshore wind projects and we have already received a very broad range of interest for the vessel. Compared to our existing fleet, Wind Innovation is a smaller but much more advanced vessel. Normally, our fleet accommodates between 100-150 guests, whereas Wind Innovation has room for 90 people in 80 cabins. However, the ‘walk-to-work’ concept directly connecting the vessel and the wind turbine foundation is definitely the service in demand in the years to come,” explains Jesper Nielsen, Managing Director in C-bed A/S.