Osbit delivers bespoke offshore access system to Van Oord

Leading offshore engineering and technology company Osbit Ltd has successfully delivered its first project to Dutch company Van Oord - a bespoke gangway system to be utilised on the installation of offshore wind farms.

Delivered to meet a demanding 18-week design and manufacturing lead-time, the P-12R gangway has been installed on the HLV Svanen. The vessel has been initially deployed to support construction of the Burbo Bank Extension wind farm off the North West coast of England and will subsequently support offshore wind projects in the Baltic, as well as in the UK.

Osbit’s tailored offshore access system will help to streamline operations, enabling technicians to safely and reliably access the transition pieces in an area with significantly wide tidal range.

To overcome this challenge, Osbit’s engineers applied a roller system to allow vertical movement of the gangway without operator intervention, allowing the system to adjust to tidal conditions automatically.

The P-12R access system is also fitted with a swivelling end step to enable safe access, even when the gangway is not facing directly onto the transition piece’s boat landing access ladder.

Following a rapid engineering and manufacturing programme, possible with the support of its predominantly North East England-based supply chain and an experienced production team, the gangway was completed, tested and delivered exactly on schedule.

The P-12R gangway is the latest project in Osbit’s growing range of active and passive offshore access systems, with previous systems designed to support a variety of vessels including semi-submersibles and accommodation barges.

Brendon Hayward, Managing Director of Osbit Ltd, comments:

“This project demonstrates the agility and focus of our team, as we worked closely with Van Oord to develop a safe, cost-effective solution which can safely operate in a range of offshore weather conditions.

“Safe, efficient offshore access is crucial in the offshore wind industry and we are proud of the part we are playing in this technology-driven sector. The UK supply chain’s depth of expertise and experience is vital in enabling the offshore renewables sector to maintain safe, cost-efficient operations.”