Damen “Twin Axe” Cat to Serve Offshore Wind

Damen is putting the finishing touches on an innovative “Twin Axe” High Speed Support Vessel 2610, a vessel design which is believed to be one of the most innovative design concepts developed by Damen in the last decade, and which will serve the burgeoning offshore wind farm market.

Compared to conventional catamarans with the same displacement the new concept offers reduced peak accelerations upto 75%, reduced calm water resistance upto 15% and reduced added resistance in waves upto 60%, according to Damen. To date Damen has delivered 25 Sea Axe monohulls and 22 are under construction.

The first HSSV 2610 will be introduced during “Seawork 2011” in Southampton

Special features of this design are:

•        front fendering designed for impact speeds over 3 knots without damage to the ship’s structure

•        aft wheelhouse / accommodation for lowest possible accelerations

•        flexibly mounted wheelhouse for lowest possible noise levels

•        two-step gearbox for maximum bollard pull without engine overload at 0-speed

•        large cargo deck for 2 x 20 ft containers (max. 15 tons)

•        a diving / rescue platform aft

•        high degree of customisation i.e. moonpool and extra accommodation

•        fuel transfer option

•        trimming of vessel using fore and aft fuel tanks

•        extensive endurance

•        3 point mooring system

www.damen.nl