Helicopters and Marine Vessels Signed to Support Hornsea 3 Construction

Ørsted has secured contracts to support the construction of its Hornsea 3 offshore wind farm, including a new Service Operating Vessel (SOV) named Esvagt James Blythe.

The SOV forms part of a fleet of ten transport assets that will support the construction of Hornsea 3. This fleet will include guard vessels, Crew Transfer Vessels (CTVs), jack-up vessels, an Uncrewed Surface Vessel (USV), and two helicopters operated by CHC Helicopter. The H175 helicopter, with a capacity of up to 16 passengers, and the AW139, accommodating up to 12 passengers, will facilitate efficient crew shift changes. Scarborough-based Mainprize will contribute two guard vessels to the project, ensuring the safety of both the wind farm and its personnel by assisting with secure marine navigation during the construction phase.

The USV will be deployed to carry out surveys and will be equipped with radio communications technology to strengthen the overall network. It will also monitor sea conditions to identify the safest and most efficient times for crew transfers, and, being uncrewed, it enhances operational safety. The Enterprise jack-up barge, supplied by Gulf Marine Services (GMS), is a self-propelled, self-elevating vessel capable of accommodating more than 120 workers on the Offshore Converter Stations. Designed for robust offshore operations, it can operate effectively in water depths of up to 80 meters.