CALLSIGN: MMXA2
FLAG: UK
LxB: 12 x 4 metres

(Info supplied by Chloe Emanuel)

The crew transfer vessel (CTV) was specifically commissioned to access turbines at Scroby Sands, which have become stranded by the natural rising tide of the sandbank on which it is built. The vessel, which can also drive on land, provides access to generation assets affected by dynamic seabed conditions.

CRC Walrus took its maiden voyage in early January and results are positive, achieving speeds of 24 knots on water and 6 kmh on land. The 12-meter vessel has a 1000 kg cargo capacity and is capable of safely transferring 10 technicians and two crew to any of the turbines within the Scroby Sands array, including on the raised sandbank. The design means that the two wheels at the front and one at the back can be deployed, similar to an aircraft, when transferring from deeper water into shallow water and sand.

RWE’s 60 MW Scroby Sands Offshore Wind Farm was one of the first of a group of projects to be built in the UK, and all in coastal locations with relatively shallow waters close to shore. Scroby Sands was built on a prehistoric sandbank and, because of natural changes in the marine environment and coastal erosion, this has risen over time effectively isolating four turbines from being accessed by service vessels.