4C Offshore Empowering Intelligence

Danish Yachts 'Cat-Swath'

4C Offshore | Lewis Holdsworth
By: Lewis Holdsworth 10/03/2015 Danish Yachts
Officially  being  launched  at  the  Offshore  2015  Copenhagen  Exhibition  organized by  EWEA,  the  new  27m  Cat-SWATH  from  Danish  Yachts  will  offer  the  offshore industry a more secure, safe and stable platform out at sea, whilst not only alleviating seasickness onboard, but offering a higher availability to its operators in challenging waters.

The  advanced  carbon  composite  specialists,  Danish  Yachts  A/S,  are  continuously pushing the boundaries of design, technology, innovation and construction in orderto  remain  at  the  forefront  of  the  wind  industry  with  the  development  of  their renowned high performance lightweight Cat-SWATH’s.

Today,  Danish  Yachts  A/S  are  delighted  to  be  launching  a  new  27m  Cat-SWATH to  their  range  which  they  believe  is  set  to  transform  the  stability,  safety  and  crew comfort  standards  for  all  future  crew  transfer  vessels  (CTV’s)  within  the  offshore sector.

In 2013, the Skagen based shipyard at the northern  most  tip  of  Denmark  delivered four  revolutionary  all-carbon-fibre  24m Cat-SWATH  vessels  to  its  client  ‘Odfjell Wind’,  which  are  currently  operated  by A2SEA in multiple locations.

A  further  ‘second  generation’  24m  Cat-SWATH  was  delivered  in  2014  with  many new  features  and  enhancements.  To  mention  but  a  few,  the  entire  superstructure and hull was optimised boasting a 15% reduction in overall weight compared to the first generation, with improved seakeeping behaviour and lower fuel consumption's.

But most importantly and with great benefit to the industry, the 24m Cat-SWATH is  able  to  securely  operate  and  transfer  crews  onto  boat  landings  in  up  to  2.5m significant  wave  height  safely,  whereby  most  other  CTV’s  in  these  types  of  seas would remain in port. A key reason for why E.ON chose to charter and operate the latest 24m Cat-SWATH from Danish Yachts.

Quarter 2 of 2015 will also see the delivery of a larger 32m Cat-SWATH from Danish Yachts with additional innovations destined for the Oil and Gas industry. The vessel will carry 40 pax with 6 crew but the superstructure can also be modified to sleep 12 pax in addition to its 6 crew.

It is important to remember that these innovative vessels from Danish Yachts are no typical SWATH vessels, but dual operational CTV’s that operate in both Catamaran Mode (CAT mode) and SWATH mode. During transit from port to the destined location, the Cat-SWATH operates in a regular Catamaran mode, allowing the vessels to reach speeds of up to 25 knots for quick transportation.

When  the  target  destination  is  reached,  the  vessel  can  be  switched  from  CAT Mode  to  SWATH  mode  instantaneously  using  the  vessel’s  ballast  system,  which compromises of two ballast tanks positioned fore and aft in each hull. Working from the  bridge,  the  pilot  can  remotely  control  the  tanks,  via  vacuum  and  pressurized air, to enact a semisubmersible effect for ‘floating platform’ type stability in rough weather conditions and high waves, reducing the vessels movement and therefore increasing the comfort, but most importantly, the safety measures for transferring the serviceman and technicians.

Officially  being  launched  at  the  Offshore  2015  Copenhagen  Exhibition  organized by  EWEA,  the  new  27m  Cat-SWATH  from  Danish  Yachts  will  offer  the  offshore industry a more secure, safe and stable platform out at sea, whilst not only alleviating seasickness onboard, but offering a higher availability to its operators in challenging waters.

Numerous  functionality  features  have  been  added  in  order  to  advance  the operational  efficiency  of  this  new  vessel.  For  example,  the  new  design  allows  for the  engine  and  gearbox  to  be  removed  through  the  central  strut  whilst  in  water, and a unique ‘in-line transfer system’ developed for maximum work-flow efficiency. Supplementary  storage  areas  have  been  added  inside  the  vessel  for  wet-suites, equipment and personal items, and the crew and passenger lounges have also been separated.



A  redesign  of  the  superstructure  allows  for  240m2  deck  space  fwd  and  aft  for cargo  and  includes  fittings  for  10ft  containers,  which  can  also  be  constructed  in lightweight carbon fibre at Danish Yachts for extra weight saving benefits. Moreover, shielded  sundeck  areas  and  seating  have  been  added  both  on  the  main  deck  and behind the wheelhouse.

During  the  design  phase  and  testing,  results  have  surpassed  the  expectations at  Danish  Yachts.  As  already  proven  on  the  previous  five  vessels  built,  and  from the  feedback  received  from  the  crews  and  operators  both  at  A2SEA  and  E.ON, operation in SWATH mode does significantly reduce motion sickness, but the new 27m Cat-SWATH will reduce this by over 90% due to reduced vertical movements. The  inclusion  of  a  forward  located  passenger  lounge  with  side  and  forward  views will additionally add to the enhanced ride experience.

All in all, the new 27m Cat-SWATH from Danish Yachts will undoubtedly offer a more secure,  pleasant  and  comfortable  experience  for  the  servicemen  and  technicians during  crew  transfers.  After  all,  the  Danish  Yachts  standard  is  more  than  a  work method, it’s a philosophy based on creating a more ‘Stable Life at Sea’ for everyone.

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