Sea Trials early 2012 for Houlder TAS
Houlder TAS
Houlder, Spirit of Innovation Award winner at Seawork 2011, has announced its Turbine Access System (TAS), fabricated at MKW Engineering, has been successfully Load Tested in the presence of Lloyds Register.
The TAS, developed with fellow exhibitor BMT Nigel Gee, is designed to provide safe and reliable access for personnel between typical workboats and offshore wind turbine structures. As well as enhancing safety, TAS has been designed to extend maintenance, installation and commissioning operability compared to current transfer methods. It achieves this by enabling crew transfer via a lightweight, motion-compensated gangway installed on the bow.
In contrast to other transfer systems, the TAS does not require vessel dynamic positioning (DP) or any part to be attached to the turbine structure itself. The project from employee-owned marine engineering company Houlder recently gained Carbon Trust funding.
The first Houlder TAS unit is destined for Turbine Transfer’s new 19m Caernarfon Bay workboat being built by South Boats. An extensive Sea Trials programme is planned for early next year. Rupert Hare, Houlder’s Managing Director commented “Seeing the Turbine Access System take shape is testament to the talents of our team and partners. 2012 is going to be an exciting year for Offshore Wind and we’re delighted we’ll be playing our part.”
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