Damen Starts Building ‘Bibby WaveMaster 1’

The first steel was cut this week at Damen Shipyards Galati for Bibby WaveMaster 1, the first ever Damen Service Operations Vessel (SOV) ordered by Bibby Marine Services.

The two companies signed a contract for the vessel last month.

The new SOV with walk-to-work capability will be deployed in the North Sea to support forthcoming offshore wind construction and O&M projects.

Damen’s Senior Project Manager René Hooijman said: “The beginning of the physical construction process is a cause for celebration after years of planning and development. The SOV is the result of extensive consultation within the offshore wind industry that has led to the design of a completely new concept from the hull up.”

“Assembly of the hull will start in April and the launch of the vessel is planned for early next year,” Hooijman added.