Damen builds first ever Service Operations Vessel for Bibby Marine Services

Damen Shipyards Galati (part of Damen Shipyards Group) has completed the bow of Bibby Wavemaster 1, the first ever Damen Service Operations Vessel (SOV) ordered by Bibby Marine Services, and moved it from the covered shed to alongside the quay from where the SOV will be launched, the shipbuilding group said in a press release.

The vessel is being built in two main sections. The aft section is being finished and will join the bow section in the following weeks. Slipway launch is planned for the end of March, with the delivery to Southern North scheduled for mid August 2017. The first steel for Wavemaster 1 was cut in February, a few weeks after the two companies signed the contract.

The Bibby Wavemaster 1 is a custom-designed 90-meter long SOV, built on a DP-2 platform, with a W2W system and a Comfort Class 2 standard accommodation comprising 60 individual ensuite berths. Equipment will be transferred with a heave compensated offshore-rated knuckle boom crane.

The new SOV with walk-to-work capability will be deployed in the North Sea to support forthcoming offshore wind construction and O&M projects.