Renewables
The MaXccess system has been deployed on the Sheringham Shoal windfarm
Turbine access eased O
sbit Power’s MaXccess-T12 wind turbine access system has completed its Lloyds wit- nessed factory acceptance tests and is going into service shortly at Sheringham Shoal for Scira Offshore Energy, the Statoil and Statkraft joint-venture company. The MaXccess system cre-
ates a secure and measured con- nection by gripping one of the boat landing buffer tubes. This prevents hazardous vertical and horizontal bow motion while al- lowing the vessel to roll, pitch and yaw freely. This is achieved without the need for active com- pensation or prediction of vessel motions.
MaXccess is a simple and
proven solution to the challenge of providing safer, weather toler- ant access in harsh and unpre- dictable seas. By restraining bow motion
The Iceni Defiant with MaXccess system in place
while allowing the vessel to roll, pitch and yaw freely, MaXccess is able to extend the wave height limit of personnel transfers for a wide range of vessels. MaXccess is a practical and
low cost solution that readily in- tegrates with most vessels, boat landing structures and floatels. By providing a stable and
measured connection between the vessel and boat landing platform those transferring have greater certainty and security when making a step transfer. Standard transfer techniques
aim to create a friction connec- tion by the vessel thrusting into the boat landing. As the vessel rolls or is pushed away from the turbine by wave action, this fric- tion is lost and the bow heaves and lurches unpredictably. MaXccess uses an ingenious clamp and linkage system to cre- ate a stable and measured fric- tion connection that is backed up by data and video monitoring. By allowing transfers in
higher wave conditions than are currently possible, MaXccess en- sures construction, maintenance and repair operations can safely continue when vessels using ‘bump and jump’ would be back in harbour waiting for calmer weather.
A traffic light system is used
to give clear guidance when safe transfer conditions are present, and requires both skipper and deck hand to confirm conditions are suitable before transfers can begin.
MaXccess is designed to
be inherently fail-safe. Should the vessel lose hydraulic power, counter balance valves ensure the MaXccess clamp remains clamped. This allows technicians to safely transfer before manually retracting the system. Dr Tony
Trapp, Osbit
Power’s CEO, said: “It has been a frenetically busy period for us with MaXccess. A programme of extensive trials was conducted in conjunction with Siemens, Sta- toil and Fred Olsen Windcarrier in the spring of 2012. “Following these trials Siemens bought the first MaXc- cess system this summer and quickly put it into service at RWE and SSE’s Greater Gab- bard. Since the start of commer- cial operations in August, MaXccess has been providing safer and more weather tolerant access for Siemens’ technicians accessing the Gabbard turbines. And now a second MaXccess is to go into service at Sheringham Shoal.
“I think we can uniquely say MaXccess is the only crew trans- fer vessel access system in com- mercial use.”
The first MaXccess system,
currently installed on the 18m Iceni Defiant, operated by Low- estoft-based Iceni Marine, has conducted many hundreds of safe transfers, and has signifi- cantly increased the transfer ca- pability of the vessel.
26 November/December 2012 Offshore Technology
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