Function
A number of vessels are used to support the installation process. These may include AHVs, CTVs, ROV handling vessels, SOVs and walk-to-work vessels.
What it costs*
About £640,000 for a 450 MW floating offshore wind farm.
Who supplies them
Vessel manufacturers: Alicat, Arklow Marine Services, Damen, Diverse Marine, Integrated Wind Solutions, Maersk, Wagenborg and Wight Shipyard
Vessel operators: Fred. Olsen, HST Marine, Mainprize Offshore, Maersk, Turner Iceni, Siem Offshore, Van Oord, Wind Energy Marine, and Windcat Workboats.
Key facts
Specialist vessels are used for crew transfer to the wind farm for installation and commissioning tasks. CTVs are used if the wind farm is close to shore. Wind farms farther from shore use SOVs. Both types of vessels are regularly used in offshore wind farm maintenance.
ROV support vessels are 80 to 100 m long DP2 vessels with a moon pool and deck crane.