ABERDEEN-BASED Vroon Offshore Services (VOS) Limited is partnering with leading green energy developer, ScottishPower Renewables, as it embarks on its first long-term charter providing emergency response and rescue vessel (ERRV) services for the offshore wind industry.
The contract award – with a value of more than £7 million – sees VOS support the offshore construction of ScottishPower's East Anglia TWO and THREE windfarms off the coast of Suffolk, providing on-site ERRV services in the event of an emergency situation.
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The selected response vessel, VOS Traveller, will operate out of Lowestoft port, with its 24-strong crew working on a 28-day rotation.
Ross Ovens, ScottishPower Renewables' Managing Director for Offshore, said: "It's great to welcome Vroon Offshore Services to our East Anglia supply chain family as we build the infrastructure that will help deliver a clean energy future. Keeping our offshore construction sites safe and protecting the people bringing them to life is an intrinsic part of what we do, and VOS will have a vital role to play in supporting any emergency response.
"Collectively, our two windfarms will produce enough green electricity to power more than two million homes, support thousands of jobs during construction and operation, and help drive economic growth. Working with partners like VOS, we're injecting more than £3 billion into the UK supply chain right across the country and building a legacy that will have a positive impact for decades to come."
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Stuart Thom, VOS Managing Director said: "This new cooperation with ScottishPower Renewables marks a major milestone for VOS, being our first long-term commitment providing ERRV services to the offshore renewables sector. We look forward to collaborating with ScottishPower Renewables to ensure maximum safety for all personnel, while powering the green-energy transition in the North Sea."
VOS Traveller's key operational capabilities and ERRV duties will consist of:
- 24/7 continuous standby
- Safety cover
- Search and rescue (SAR) support – providing a Place of Safety within 20 minutes; utilising her specialised recovery equipment, including two fast rescue craft (FRC), a Dacon scoop and a heavy-duty rescue basket; onboard medical treatment facilities; advanced collision-avoidance surveillance, radio watchkeeping, and field logistics support; and offshore environmental monitoring.
Built in Stellendam, The Netherlands in 2008, the purpose-built Class B ERRV has a length of 48.2 metres.
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