OFFSHORE RENEWABLES

In June 2019, The Helen Mary completed a 3 month contract for Skyspecs, providing a support vessel for their drone operations in the German and Dutch North Sea sector. Helen Mary was particularly suitable for this project, as she was built in 2015 to BV Unrestricted Navigation Class, specifically for operation on wind farms further offshore, with accommodation for additional crew and passengers and a large aft deck. The vessel was used as a platform to allow Skyspecs’ drones to perform autonomous inspections of the wind turbines and blades, to produce health reports and highlight any defects on the units. Over the period, the Skyspecs team successfully inspected 5 sites, for 3 different clients.

“We would like to thank Inverlussa and OTS team and crew members for their tremendous support during this campaign. Skyspecs performed autonomous offshore inspections for an unprecedented 1400 MW of aggregated power. The Helen Mary allowed us to deliver outstanding expediency due to its efficient fuel consumption and spacious accommodations, allowing the team to remain at sea for weeks at a time. OTS’ operational assistance during the coordination and operation of the campaign was extremely professional, timely, and supportive.”

Carlos Martinez Rodriguez, Operations Project Manager for SkySpecs Europe.

In February 2016, the Helen Mary was put into service on a 2.5 year contract with Dong Energy, to carry out support duties during the construction phase of their Race Bank wind farm. In an industry where driving down the cost of construction is key to its future, Inverlussa carefully designed a vessel that carries out several different functions throughout the wind farm, thereby delivering a cost effective solution to the client, resulting in a saving at the end of the project.

"DONG Energy is absolutely committed to using UK suppliers whenever possible and we are very happy to be working with Inverlussa Marine Services and Mainprize Offshore Ltd on our Race Bank project. Race Bank is a significant offshore wind farm which will be capable of powering over half a million UK homes, and these two UK companies will play a vital role in construction. It's also really encouraging to hear this contract has led to new staff being taken on at Inverlussa Marine Services and has helped the business kick-start its expansion into the renewables sector."

Jason Ledden, Construction Project Manager for Race Bank at DONG Energy.

Inverlussa Marine Services have also supported Partrac Ltd over several of their projects in the Sound of Islay, West Islay and Kylerhea. Most of the work carried out was deploying and retrieving ADCPs which was very challenging given the high tidal stream conditions. All our larger class of landing craft have high lift rudders and bow thrusters which give excellent manoeuvrability.

"They are one of the best vessel operators we have worked with. They always fit us in with their work schedule, which can often be difficult because of the weather, and they bend over backwards to help with our survey work. They also keep a very clean and tidy ship which makes our operations all the easier. Inverlussa Marine Services are a perfect choice to help with offshore renewable projects. Their vessel is ideally suited to deploying equipment for oceanographic, environmental and geophysical survey work and their knowledge of the waters around the West Coast of Scotland is a real benefit. I have no problem in recommending them as they are exceptional. Consequently, I firmly believe they will do equally well with their new vessel".

Peter Wilson, Marine Operation Director of Partrac Ltd, a marine data acquisition company specialising in oceanographic, environmental and geosciences surveys.