ABS updates the Requirements for Building and Classing Wind Farm Support Vessels

The American Bureau of Shipping has published the updated Requirements for Building and Classing Wind Farm Support Vessels.

Foreword

The ABS Requirements for Building and Classing Wind Farm Support Vessels contains the requirements for such vessels specifically fitted with equipment for maintaining and repairing facilities in offshore wind farms, as well as transporting industrial personnel between a shore-based facility and offshore wind farms.

Wind Farm Support Vessels may also carry cargo as part of their normal operations.

The December 2023 version incorporates a reduction factor for superstructure and deckhouse pressures for external bulkheads on limited-service craft based on vessel type, requirements for window bonding and testing for bonded windows, requirements for testing for laminated windows, optional Ⓔ for Wind-SC(A) vessels, and a new Section 11 to consolidate all wind farm vessel survey requirements.

Scope

The hull and machinery requirements to class a vessel as a wind farm support vessel are covered in this document.

The requirements for Navigational Equipment and Radio Communications are not addressed except for Emergency Position Indicating Radio Beacon (EPIRB).

If you need more information, please visit the ABS Rules and Guides page, where the document is available FOR FREE.