The Esvagt Froude, one of four services offshore vessels (SOVs) of the same design being delivered to Siemens between now and 2017, is the German company’s big bet on slashing the cost of operations and maintenance (O&M) on offshore wind farms, which currently accounts for some 25% of the total price of a development.
The 84-metre ship, built for speed and stability, houses 11 state-of-the-art workshops, six storerooms, two cinemas, a chef-run canteen, a full fitness suite and simple but luxurious cabins for 60 personnel.
