Offshore wind farms and wave and tidal energy

 

GSS has gained a vast array of experience in the offshore renewables sector – both wind farms and tidal energy – while working in supporting roles and as a main contractor.

 

Examples include providing a support vessel for the jack-up and cable laying barges and for diving operations at the Robin Rigg wind farm in the Solway Firth, and working as the main contractor on installation of moorings to accommodate a tidal energy device.

 

This experience will allows us to offer complete solutions directly to the client. These works include:

  • Cable laying – including beach scouring
  • Complete installation of tidal and wave devices
  • Diving operations – See separate diving support page

 

Our civil engineering background also makes us the preferred partner for any port upgrades that may be required to cope with the future ramp-up in production.

 

GSS Marine Services has now worked on many of the marine wind farm projects around the UK, including Burbo Bank, Robin Rigg and Arklow, and also on the Rodsand 2 off Denmark, offering services that include dive support and services, repair and maintenance, ground investigations, vibro-coring, anchor handling etc.

 

Our flexible approach and vast experience in the marine construction field have enabled us to provide varied services as the installation of marine wind turbines and tidal devices progresses. From assisting with the early initial surveys through the final realisation and ultimately providing through-life maintenance services, GSS Plant Ltd develops skills and acquires carefully specified plant to deal with all challenges.

 

 

Case study:

Robin Rigg wind farm The Multicat Maggie was tasked to assist the Cable Laying Barge UR101 at the Robin Rigg wind farm in the Solway Firth.

 

She was contracted as a support vessel and her primary task was anchor handling. In addition she provided towage services, berthing assistance and general supply services. Her generous deck loading capacity made her a useful provider to the operating barges.

 

Her skipper displayed his skill and judgement when the cable laying barge UR101 parted three of her five anchors in gale force conditions in up to five meters of swell.

 

 

Case study:

EMEC, Orkney The newly delivered Fiona F Eurocarrier, accompanied by a team of five divers, travelled up to Orkney, where 10 composite gravity anchors, weighing up to over 100 tonnes, were installed for the European Marine Energy Centre’s offshore test facilities for wave and tidal power technologies.

 

Working through March, 2011, the GSS team assembled, transported and lowered the anchors in position, in some cases working around a tidal flow of 4 knots.