Gladding-Hearn’s offshore wind farm Crew Transfer Vessels (CTV) are designed by the shipyard’s high-speed ferry designer, Incat Crowther, to specifically meet the applicable U.S.C.G. and IACS Class society rules and interface with the wind turbines, allowing the safe transfer of offshore workers and cargo from the bow, stern, or alongside.
Gladding-Hearn’s unmatched experience in building both commercial catamarans and offshore pilot boats makes it uniquely qualified to build wind farm vessels for the United States market. The yard offers CTVs ranging from 12m to 45m in length, powered by a range of propulsion options.
The 27m CTV Patriot Leader shown here was delivered to Patriot Offshore Maritime Services in 2024 to comfortably transport up to 24 offshore workers and 10 tonnes of deck cargo to support the construction and O&M phases of offshore wind projects on the U.S. East Coast. The all-aluminum high-speed catamaran is powered by four Scania DI16, 8-cylinder, EPA Tier-3 compliant diesel engines. Each main engine drives a Hamilton waterjet. Humphree interceptors, with Automatic Trim Optimization, are installed at the transom. Interior accommodations include seating for offshore workers, a galley, two heads and showers, HVAC, and two double and overnight accommodations for 6 crew members. With working/cargo decks fore and aft, the large foredeck is set up to carry two 20 ft. ISO containers and to transfer the offshore workers from the bow. A robust, resilient bow fendering system allows for the transfer of offshore workers in up to 1.75m seas. A hydraulic knuckle-boom crane, with an 8-meter reach, is installed on Patriot Leader’s bow for transferring cargo to shore.
“As a licensee of Incat Crowther since the mid-80s, we’ve built more than 40 high-speed passenger catamarans from their designs. We know these hull forms provide a very safe, stable, and comfortable platform for offshore workers who will be working on these projects in the United States,” said Gladding-Hearn President Peter Duclos.
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- 88.5’x29.5’
- Top Speed: 29 knots
- Passenger Capacity: 24
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