Offshore construction projects and other challenging marine jobs require innovative solutions with reliable power supplies. When UK-based marine drilling contractor, Fugro Seacore and the Netherlands based marine dredging and engineering contractor, Van Oord/Wicks came together to create a unique jack-up barge for a tough job, they chose the Caterpillar C9 Generator Set to power it.
Constructed in 2012 at the Neptune Shipyard in the Netherlands, the WaveWalker 1, a mobile, self-elevating work platform like no other, was designed to withstand rough seas, high winds, strong currents and tidal conditions. Its first job would be a challenging blasting and drilling operation to make the Suape Outer Channel in Brazil deeper. Turbulent waters there made the use of traditional floating work platforms impossible.
What makes the WaveWalker 1 unique is its 2 sets of 4 legs, positioned at the corners of the 32m x 32m platform. With hydraulics powered by 2 Caterpillar C9 Generator Sets, it can operate as a stationary work platform with all 8 legs deployed, or when needed, actually walk itself across the bottom of the sea at a rate of up to 40m per hour. This ability to move without floating makes it easy to re-position in water too shallow to float traditional rigs. It can also operate on beaches, and can move in rough seas, high winds, heavy surf and fast-moving currents without the need for tug boats.
The fascinating walking apparatus consists of sliding leg units that travel on rails along all 4 sides of the hull. Once the rig is floated within range of its desired position, 2 sets of opposing legs are lowered to the sea floor. The platform is jacked up over the water, then the other 2 sets of raised legs slide 4 meters in the desired direction along the rails. When they have been lowered securely into the sea bed, the first 2 pairs are raised and the platform slides forward until the legs are again positioned at all four corners. The process repeats as needed. See the video demonstration here. It’s very cool.
Because the platform is square and bi-directional, its sides are labeled port, starboard, fore and aft to allow other vessels to determine the intended direction of travel.
As explained to the Maritime Journal in January of 2016 by WaveWalker BV’s joint Managing Director, Les Lugg, this walking capability makes the platform the perfect choice for wind farm installations. “With WaveWalker 1 we can provide a range of O&M services at offshore wind farms where turbines are located in shallow water zones. These tasks could not be undertaken by standard JUBs (Jack-up Barges) as the water depth would prevent them being floated into the required positions.”
Since completing that project, WaveWalker 1 went on to complete offshore wind farm projects in the Netherlands, Ireland and France, even surviving a storm on the North Sea.
In 2013 it won New Mechanical Product of the Year at the British Engineering Excellence Awards and the Ground Engineering Award for Product and Equipment Innovation in 2014.
The platform also has two permanent cranes, powered by the Caterpiller C9 Generator Sets. These EPA certified diesel generators feature:
- A minimum rating of 168 ekW (210 kVA)
- A maximum rating of 184 ekW (230 kVA)
- Voltage of 220 to 480
- Frequency of 50 or 60 HZ
- Speed of 1500 or 1800 RPM
The Knuckle Boom crane and an Offshore Wire crane can be operated by remote control. The moonpool in the center of the work platform can be covered completely or partially and the hull, outfitted to house up to 24 crew members. The control functions are all automated.
Interested in obtaining the Caterpillar C9 Generator Set for your next big project? Depco Power System buys, sells and warranties industrial power equipment worldwide. To learn more, contact us today.
