UNITED KINGDOM —Construction activity at ScottishPower Renewables’ East Anglia TWO and THREE offshore wind farms will receive dedicated emergency response coverage under a new agreement with Vroon Offshore Services (VOS). The contract is valued at more than £7 million and represents Vroon’s first long term ERRV commitment in the offshore renewables sector.
The operational requirement is focused on protecting personnel and maintaining emergency preparedness while offshore construction progresses in the North Sea off Suffolk. VOS Traveller has been selected for the assignment and will be based at Lowestoft port, providing a dedicated response capability for the two wind farm developments.
VOS Traveller will remain on continuous standby and provide safety cover, search and rescue assistance and personnel recovery when required. Its emergency equipment includes two fast rescue craft, a Dacon scoop and a heavy duty rescue basket, while onboard medical facilities provide additional support during incidents.
The vessel will also maintain radio watchkeeping and advanced collision avoidance surveillance, alongside field logistics and offshore environmental monitoring duties. A key requirement is the ability to provide a Place of Safety within 20 minutes, supporting emergency evacuation and recovery arrangements for personnel working at the offshore construction sites.
A 24 member crew will operate the vessel on a 28 day rotation. VOS Traveller is a purpose built Class B ERRV measuring 48.2 metres in length and was constructed in Stellendam, the Netherlands, in 2008. Its deployment adds a dedicated marine emergency response asset to the construction logistics supporting East Anglia TWO and THREE.
The contract highlights the supporting infrastructure required to develop large offshore wind projects, where construction involves personnel, vessels and equipment operating in marine environments. Emergency response vessels are therefore an important part of the safety arrangements surrounding offshore construction and can affect operational planning for developers and contractors.
For the offshore services industry, the agreement provides a long term renewable energy application for ERRV capability and may reinforce demand for specialist vessels as offshore wind construction expands in the UK. For ScottishPower Renewables, dedicated emergency coverage supports the execution of construction activities while maintaining response capability across its offshore work areas.
Vroon Offshore Services (VOS) is an Aberdeen based offshore marine services provider operating vessels for activities including emergency response and rescue. ScottishPower Renewables is the renewable energy business of ScottishPower, developing and operating renewable generation assets including offshore wind projects in the UK.
