The Block Island Wind Farm’s main turbine installation vessel – Fred, Osen Wind Carrier’s Brave Tern – is expected to arrive in Rhode Island on July 31, based on current weather forecasts. The vessel began its journey across the Atlantic Ocean on July 15.
The state-of-the-art, 433-foot long jack-up vessel traveled from France to Rhode Island, with the five GE Renewable Engergy nacelles for the Block Island Wind Farm aboard.
It is one of the the world’s most advanced installation vessels, with cranes capable of lifting 800 tons, and its self-propelled jack-up system bringing the vessel to a height of roughly 480 feet above sea level during installation.
The Brave Tern will anchor in Narragansett Bay off Newport, between Goat Island and Fort Adams State Park, for two days as it readies its crew, refuels and undergoes U.S. Coast Guard inspections.
After U.S. Coast Guard inspections, the vessel will travel to the Block Island Wind Farm site, where it will remain for the duration of its stay. Assisting with the installation will be the liftboats Paul and Caitlyn, heavy-lift vessels from the U.S. Golf of Mexico operated by Montco Offshore.
These two vessels will shuttle turbine components from ProvPort to the Block Island site. This round-the-clock effort off the coast of Block Island is expected to last about a month.