Atlantic Endeavor

AMONG A NEW CLASS OF JONES ACT CTVS

Atlantic Wind Transfers’ (AWT) newest crew transfer vessel, Atlantic Endeavor, constructed by Rhode Island shipbuilder Blount Boats and delivered in January, is just the third purpose-built CTV in the Jones Act fl eet, which is needed to support the burgeoning U.S. offshore wind market for decades to come.

The specialized model of the Chartwell 24, designed by U.K.-based Chartwell Marine Ltd., was modifi ed to comply with American environmental and USCG regulations. Andy Page, Managing Director of Chartwell Marine, noted several key differences between CTVs built for U.S. and European waters. For one, the underwater profi le of the U.S. version has been modifi ed to operate safely in wavelengths and swells along the U.S. Eastern Seaboard that are typically longer and larger than what’s seen in the North Sea. From a compliance perspective, the designer also considered emissions standards variances as well as U.S. legislation protecting the migration route of the protected right whales.

The 64.9-foot Atlantic Endeavor is a twin hulled aluminum catamaran equipped with quad 799-horsepower MAN engines, Cummins generators, ZF Transmissions, HamitonJet waterjets and Humphree USA Interceptors. Its service speed is 22-24 knots, with a sprint speed of 29 knots. On deck, the CTV has 10 metric tonnes cargo capacity, and it is fi tted with a Palfi nger crane and Nabrico anchor winch. The vessel is also equipped with a power washing and fuel transfer system.

AWT, based in Quonset Point, R.I., is the Unite States’ fi rst owner/operator of CTVs, typically aluminum catamarans, used for transporting wind farm technicians and other personnel, and sometimes equipment, out to sites on a daily basis. Its fi rst CTV, Atlantic Pioneer, was built by Blount Boats in 2016 and has been servicing the fi ve 6-megawatt turbines at the Block Island Wind Farm off Block Island, R.I.

Atlantic Endeavor is based out of Virginia’s Hampton Roads region under AWT’s long-term O&M CTV contract with Dominion Energy to support its Coastal Virginia Offshore Wind Farm (CVOW) pilot project 27-miles off Virginia Beach. Manned by two to four crew members, Atlantic Endeavor has capacity to transport up to 24 wind farm technicians.