French shipbuilder Navalu has visited the port of Ostend, Belgium, to present its catamaran SeaFox. This offshore wind farm service vessel is a catamaran with an aluminium hull.
Navalu shipyard successfully managed the sea launch on the coast of Vendeé in France. SeaFox is on her way to the German offshore wind farms. She is the first aluminium offshore wind farm service vessel built in France with Bureau Veritas approval, dedicated to UK-based shipowner Enviro-serve, set up in Lowestoft (Suffolk) in the North Sea.
The main characteristics of this catamaran with aluminum hull are: 24m length by 9.9m beam with 1.75m draft at the safran and a 72t light-weight. The aim of this catamaran is to simultaneously transport up to 12 technicians and 12t cargo at the same time, in high speeds, for offshore wind farm installation and maintenance, thanks to its four powerful main engines (600HP each).
The first trial at sea allowed validation of the waterlines of this catamaran, which showed high-speed performance that exceeded 24k with 90% of main engine power, despite the unsuitable sailing conditions in the Atlantic Sea. SeaFox also showed excellent sea-keeping.