GustoMSC reveals SEA-3250-LT

In 2008 the European Offshore Wind market had a desperate need for new installation equipment as the older civil construction jack-ups were much too small. Since history seems to repeat itself in the emerging US offshore wind market, GustoMSC introduced specific US jack-up designs earlier this year. Now this reputable design & engineering company complements the series of Jones Act compliant installation units with an economical alternative for safe and efficient wind turbine installation in the US: the SEA-3250-LT installation jack-up.

Currently there is no equipment available in the US that is capable of installing present and future heavy foundations and turbines, due to insufficient carrying & lifting capability in terms of both capacity and height. With various US design solutions, ranging from the large self-propelled jack-up design (NG-98000C-US) and the NG-3750C feeder unit to a low cost installation jack-up (SEA-3250-LT), GustoMSC provides a full range of options to resolve this bottleneck for the US offshore wind market based on different operational and financial scenarios. 

A safe, stable and solid platform is essential when lifting heavy, delicate components to heights of over 426 ft (130 m) in an area where technicians are performing assembly tasks at the same time. GustoMSC plays a pioneering role in the Offshore Wind installation market, delivering designs and equipment for a wide range of jack-up and other vessels responsible for close to 80% of the installations within this market.

Reducing risk wile fit for purpose

The SEA-3250-LT is a dedicated low CAPEX wind turbine installation solution for the emerging US offshore wind market. It’s a rationalized jack-up design, peeled down to the essence of safe and efficient wind installation. Additional features, such as large accommodation and own propulsion that increase construction costs, weight and construction time, have been omitted. The SEA-3250-LT utilizes an efficient, lightweight hull construction in order to maximize variable load capacity: it can carry one to two of the largest turbines while under way to the installation site. The relatively simple and straightforward design can be adopted by multiple US ship yards without big risks, and can therefore be built Jones Act compliant at a competitive price. This non-propelled design meets the required technical capabilities for wind turbine installation in the US for a minimum investment, thus reducing investment risk in this developing market.

SEA-3250-LT characteristics

The design comprises a proven GustoMSC hydraulic “Pin in Hole” jacking system capable of the large number of jacking moves required for offshore wind turbine installation. An 882 sht (800 mt) pedestal crane, fitted with a boom of approx. 328 ft (100 m), enables the installation of the latest generation of 8 to 9.5 MW turbines and foundations. In the case of foundations exceeding the capabilities of this crane, the unit can serve as a Jones Act compliant feeder solution to a larger foreign vessel. The SEA-3250-LT is designed to operate in the typical environmental conditions of the US NE-coast and in water depths of up to 148 ft (45 m).

Its large payload and large free deck area the SEA-3250-LT makes it a very versatile unit, capable of executing projects in the Civil construction, Oil & Gas, Decommissioning and Maintenance fields, alongside Wind Farm installation work. Furthermore the jack-up can be upgraded with a full accommodation block and its own propulsion. This versatility, and the flexibility to adapt to future demands, reduces the investment risk to a minimum.