Belgium-based High Wind has announced that GeoSea’s new jack-up vessel Apollo will be prepared for the Boom Lock system which allows an offshore crane to install wind turbine components at high wind speeds.
High Wind will manage all elements of the design and engineering in cooperation with GeoSea, an offshore marine engineering project specialist and part of DEME Group, and the crane manufacturer.
The Boom Lock is designed to control the movement of the crane hook and the payload in such a way ” that installation time can be drastically reduced,” according to High Wind.
The system is also expected to increase safety during the installation of the wind turbines by reducing uncontrolled movements in windy conditions.
Ole Jacob Wang Nielsen, Head of Business Development of High Wind, said: “We are honoured to have been trusted by GeoSea to prepare their newest jackup vessel Apollo for the Boom Lock system. With the system installed, the Apollo will be capable of safer and more efficient installation of turbines and blades in higher wind speeds.”
The Boom Lock is currently in use on GeoSea’s jack-up vessel Neptune.
“There is a large potential for the industry in reducing costs by increasing workability offshore. As the turbines and blades grow in size, the weather limits and controllability during lifting operations will decrease, unless we introduce smart solutions” said Bart De Poorter, General Manager of GeoSea.
“High Wind offers an integrated tagline and guidance system and we see this as an important and necessary upgrade from current industry practice.”