“The tests were completed last week and we are delighted to be able to announce this at RenewableUK 2012,” said Dr. Tony Trapp, the firm's CEO.
“It has been a frenetically busy period for us with MaXccess. A programme of extensive trials was conducted in conjunction with Siemens, Statoil and Fred Olsen Windcarrier in the spring of 2012," he said.
Following the trials Siemens bought the first MaXccess system this summer and put it into service at RWE and SSE’s Greater Gabbard.
"Since the start of commercial operations in August, MaXccess has been providing safer and more weather tolerant access for Siemens’ technicians accessing the Gabbard turbines," Trapp said. "And now a second MaXccess is to go into service at Sheringham Shoal."
Trapp described the MaXccess as the only crew transfer vessel access system in commercial use.
"To go from a system waiting to be trialed at the start of the year to systems either in use, or in production, is a testament to the commitment of our team and their skill in delivering and rigorously testing an ingenious, but ultimately simple and reliable system,” he said.
The first MaXccess system, currently installed on the 18m Iceni Defiant, operated by Lowestoft-based Iceni Marine, has conducted many hundreds of safe transfers, and has significantly increased the transfer capability of the vessel.
According to Richard Thurlow, director of Iceni Marine, “We have been hugely impressed by the performance of the OSBIT MaXccess system.
"It allows us to offer a level of accessibility and safety that simply isn’t possible using a boat fender alone to secure the vessel on the turbine," he said.
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