By Renewable Energy Focus staff
“Seatel is a specially adapted North Sea barge with a 70 bedroom hotel module offering a comfortable, stable platform and high quality accommodation at half the cost of current market alternatives,” the companies say.
The structure covers 25,000 ft2 and the actual vessel consists of a North Sea barge fixed to an offshore barge.
The offshore accommodation unit is designed to be self-sufficient, with onboard generators, an infield maintenance workshop, storage facilities, restaurant, gym, lounges and social areas.
The Seatel can be moored up to 70 miles offshore using a single point mooring system and a fixed anchor spread specifically designed for each location. Once moored, Seatel can safely operate up to sea state 7 and a critical wave height of 6.75 m.
Mark Malone, Managing Director of Svitzer, says: “At the moment most wind farms transfer their staff from onshore facilities out to the work location by boat, which can be a four hour round trip or more.
“Seatel provides on-site accommodation to maximise the number of productive man hours. Staff can be transferred by either helicopter or boat to the portable renewable work site. Seatel therefore offers fully flexible, efficient and comfortable accommodation and rest facilities which will provide significant advantages to overall project cost.”
Julian Sanderson, Director of Sanderson Maritime, adds: “This is a natural partnership, both companies offer specialist experience and highly trained expert staff. As the renewable sector develops so there is more and more demand for more tailored accommodation, but at the moment the price is prohibitive and too much time spent ferrying staff from one place to the other. With Seatel, we can offer an excellent solution at a great price.”