Seacat Sceptre, the hydrofoil-optimised Offshore Energy Support Vessel (OESV) owned by class leading OESV operator Seacat Services (Seacat), has exceeded its performance predictions while on charter to Seagreen Wind Energy (Seagreen).
Developed by pioneering, next-generation vessel designer, Chartwell Marine, Sceptre is the first of two OESVs ordered by Seacat equipped with the new Foil Optimisation and Stability System (FOSS) technology, designed by BAR Technologies, to enhance the stability, crew comfort, and efficiency gains of OESVs.
Sceptre and its associated FOSS system have exceeded expectations for its performance against the above conditions, improving passenger comfort and directional stability, as well as demonstrating 10% fuel savings at a cruising speed of 28 knots, a higher top speed, and increased cruising speeds through higher sea states.
Sceptre will enable Seagreen – a £3 billion, 114-turbine Scottish wind farm development venture between SSE Renewables and TotalEnergies located in the North Sea Firth – to reduce the overall emissions of its supply chain through substantial vessel efficiency gains.
Sceptre’s combination of BAR Technologies’ innovative engineering solutions and Chartwell Marine’s reliable and versatile Chartwell Ambitious CTV design demonstrates the close and successful partnership between the three companies. Collaboration on R&D programmes between the companies is helping Seacat lead the way in the safety standards, decarbonisation efforts and service quality of the OESV sector.
Ian Baylis, Founder, Seacat Services, commented: “We are committed to exploring all avenues to improve emissions performance, and the incorporation of FOSS reflects one part of our wider programme of carbon reduction. We’re proud to offer Seagreen our best-in-class support, and this charter demonstrates that our tailored fleet continues to prove its salt in supporting the build out of offshore sites in Scotland and the UK.”