Posted on April 10, 2023
Washington-based Platypus Marine has signed a Letter of Intent with Dutch shipbuilding group Damen Shipyards for the construction of a new Jones Act-compliant Fast Crew Supply vessel. The announcement was made at the IPF Offshore Wind Conference last week.
The FCS2710-design vessel will be available and fully supported on both the West and East Coasts of the U.S., filling a gap in the offshore wind market. It can also be used in the oil, mining, and remote construction industries.
Platypus Marine will have the full support of Damen Shipyards’ engineering team, allowing them to construct a top-of-the-line vessel that is competitively priced.
“Damen has built and delivered well over 6,000 vessels since 1927 spread out amongst our various 38 shipyards worldwide, headquartered in the Netherlands. Via local construction and partnering with yards such as Platypus, we have delivered over 200 vessels for the US market and over 1,500 globally together with Damen Technical Cooperation Division (DTC),” says Alan Borde, DAMEN Area manager USA.
Platypus Marine’s new construction building can hold up to four 34-meter vessels at once in various stages of construction to handle the market demand for a series of vessels in the range.
Platypus Marine plans to start building the FCS2710 upon completion of the building’s construction in Port Angeles, WA, in the fourth quarter of 2023 or first quarter 2024, with completion scheduled for the first quarter of 2025.
The FCS2710 design combines the stable platform of a catamaran with the smooth sailing of the Sea Axe hull shape, providing optional seakeeping characteristics and on board comfort. The vessel is based on a proven design, improved in close cooperation with industry leaders and Crew Transfer Vessel operators. This results in a vessel with a large level foredeck, high cargo capacities and excellent performance in transit and during transfer operations.
As the offshore wind industry prepares for rapid expansion in the United States, the demand for Jones Act-compliant vessels to support offshore wind operations is set to surge in tandem.
More about the FCS2710 from Damen:
- Length: 26.8M
- Speed Max: 25 kn
- Deck area: 90 m2
- Personnel: 24
- Hull Construction: Aluminum
- Available Options:
- Hybrid Propulsion system
- Rescue zone
- Deck Crane
- Cargo fuel system
- GMDSS A3
