PROJECTS

WINDEA CTV

OUR PROJECTS

WINDEA CTV

Formed as a joint venture between Hornblower Group and MidOcean Wind, WINDEA CTV LLC is a full turn-key provider and operator of crew transfer vessels (CTV’s) specifically designed and built for the US offshore wind industry. Hornblower Marine managed the design and construction of five (5) BV-class USCG Subchapter L hybrid-ready CTV’s built concurrently at 3 different shipyards. Seaward Services (a division of Hornblower Group) provides the crew to operate the CTV’s and Hornblower Marine is the primary service provider for maintenance and repairs of the vessels.

Project Overview

The Hornblower Marine team managed the design, construction, and delivery of these Jones Act compliant CTV’s, which are specifically designed and built to operate in US offshore wind farms. The WINDEA CTV fleet are the largest US CTV’s in size and carrying capability currently in operation. The vessels’ unique hybrid-ready design enables the vessel to be readily upgraded to incorporate a hybrid system in the future.

Passenger comfort is of the highest priority as the superstructure and center bow fender is resiliently mounted to ensure the accommodations are isolated from the impact forces when approaching the turbines. There are also overnight accommodations for the vessel crew with the capability to operate for up to 5 days at sea.

Notable Features

  •   Personnel: 24 offshore wind technicians and up to 6 crew
  •   Cargo Capacity: Up to 20 tons cargo carrying capacity with 100 square meters forward and 30 square meters aft
  •   Propulsion & Steering: 4x Volvo Penta D13 IPS 900
  •   Features: Incat Crowther patented resilient bow with RG Seasight fenders, Palfinger PK23500M(A) deck crane, fuel transfer and delivery system
  •   Performance: Up to 27 knots

Operational Impact

“Our operating partner Hornblower has done an outstanding job scaling our service with the growth of the fleet.” said Bradley Neuberth, of MidOcean Wind LLC and Managing Partner of WINDEA CTV LLC. “Today is an important marker in the establishment of the North American OSW industry, and we are proud to deliver on the promise of designing, building, and operating U.S. built CTVs that will help bring renewable energy to millions of homes. Due to the challenges posed by supply chain disruptions, inflation, and fluctuating interest rates during since 2022, navigating the construction and delivery processes has been no easy feat. Fortunately, through close collaboration with our partners, stakeholders, and suppliers, we have successfully overcome these obstacles to achieve this noteworthy milestone at a pivotal time in the industry’s development.”

“Launching a brand-new fleet of purpose-built CTVs is a pivotal component in the North American OSW market’s efforts to deliver on ambitious federal and state renewable energy goals both today and in the years ahead,” said Timothy O’Brien, Senior Vice President of Ferries and Transportation, Hornblower Group. “With WINDEA’s fleet of newly-built vessels, our government and OSW partners are provided the reliability and capacity needed to successfully service U.S. wind farm operations without sacrificing sustainability, safety, or efficiency.”

“Successfully establishing the US Offshore Wind industry requires both expertly qualified crew and purpose-built CTVs capable of consistently meeting the robust and rapidly changing conditions of North American offshore operations,” said Scott Keever, Vice President of Seaward Services, Inc. “WINDEA’s entire fleet of vessels, as operated by our diverse crew, is now core to the industry’s future accomplishments and will continue to lead the CTV space for years to come.”

Conclusion

The successful design and construction of the WINDEA CTV fleet underscore Hornblower Marine’s leadership in the offshore wind industry. By utilizing advanced design and engineering techniques, Hornblower has set a new standard for crew transfer vessels tailored for U.S. offshore wind farms. This project not only demonstrates the viability of innovative vessel designs but also showcases Hornblower’s commitment to providing state-of-the-art maritime solutions.
 
For more information about our conversion projects and services, please contact Hornblower Marine →