Fred. Olsen Windcarrier Jack-up Brave Tern completes major crane refit at Damen Shiprepair Amsterdam

Brave Tern, the 132-metrejack-up operated by Fred. Olsen Windcarrier AS, has completed a major crane refit at DAMEN Shiprepair Amsterdam. The main operation was the insertion of a 20-metre section into the main boom of the 800-tonne crane, allowing it to reach a height of 120metres. This upgrade now allows it to install and maintain the next generation of wind turbines.

The operation to insert the additional section took 30 days in total. It required the unreeving of all the crane wires before the crane boom could be dropped down to rest on a support structure built from containers. The boom was then cut in two and the new section inserted and secured using flanges. Following the completion of the new boom the wires were re-reeved and a series of load tests conducted before the crane was certified ready for operations.

To secure the order, DAMEN Shiprepair Amsterdam (DSAm) offered a fast turnaround time without any loss of quality or attention to detail. Not only was the project time highly competitive, the actual order was only received the day before the vessel arrived at the yard. However, DSAm had the necessary capacity available and the next few days (a weekend) were spent setting up the project office, building the boom rest structure and positioning the mobile cranes. It was this ability to both initiate and implement projects at exceptionally short notice (plus its reputation for quality and a convenient location) that convinced Fred. Olsen Windcarrierthat DSAm was the ideal yard for this refit. This was the first visit by the Brave Tern to DSAm.

Ove T. Rylandsholm from Fred. Olsen Windcarrier AS, commented: “We were very impressed with the service and support provided by managers and staff at DAMEN Shiprepair Amsterdam. They had very little notice ahead of the vessel’s arrival, but they demonstrated a high degree of professionalism and their solution-oriented approach to the various tasks was just what we needed. It has been apleasure to work with them.”

The upgrade of the Brave Tern is part of a wider programme by Fred. Olsen Windcarrier to bring both its Jack-Ups up to the standard required to meet the needs of the new generation of 8MW plus wind turbines. As well as the crane boom extensions, the legs on both vessels have had an additional 14-metres added.

Following the works at DSAm, theBrave Ternis now ready to install the latest, high capacity wind turbine generators such as the 8MW MVOW V164. The vessel can carry four complete units (tower, nacelle and blades) per loadout.    



Damen Shipyards Group
Damen Shipyards Group operates 35 shipbuilding and repair yards, employing 12,000 people worldwide. DAMEN has delivered more than 6,000 vessels in more than 100 countries and delivers some 160 vessels annually to customers worldwide. Based on its unique, standardised ship-design concept DAMEN is able to guarantee consistent quality.

Damen’s focus on standardisation, modular construction and keeping vessels in stock leads to short delivery times, low ‘total cost of ownership’, high resale values and reliable performance. Furthermore, DAMEN vessels are based on thorough R&D and proven technology.

Damen offers a wide range of products, including tugs, workboats, naval and patrol vessels, high speed craft, cargo vessels, dredgers, vessels for the offshore industry, ferries, pontoons and superyachts.

For nearly all vessel types DAMEN offers a broad range of services, including maintenance, spare parts delivery, training and the transfer of (shipbuilding) know-how. DAMEN also offers a variety of marine components, such as nozzles, rudders, winches, anchors, anchor chains and steel works.

Damen Shiprepair& Conversion (DSC) has a worldwide network of eighteen repair and conversion yards of which twelve are located in North West Europe. Facilities at the yards include more than 50 floating and (covered) drydocks, the largest of which is 420 x 90 metres, as well as slopes, ship lifts and indoor halls. Projects range from the smallest simple repairs through Class’ maintenance to complex refits and the complete conversion of large offshore structures. DSC completes around 1,300 repair and maintenance jobs annually, both at yards as well as in ports and during voyage.