Representatives from St. Johns Ship Building, Americraft Marine, Atlantic Wind Transfers, Hamilton Waterjets and MAN Engines participated within the keel laying ceremony at St. Johns Ship Building in Palatka, Fla.
Palatka, Fla., primarily based St. Johns Ship Building has held a keel laying for the primary of the six aluminum crew switch vessels (CTVs) on order on the shipyard for Atlantic Wind Transfers (AWT).
The Chartwell 24 catamarans can have the capability to move 24 personnel to and from wind generators with velocity, security, and stability.
“We are proud to be chosen as part of Atlantic Wind Transfers successful CTV operation. St. Johns Ship Building appreciates the trust and confidence that Charlie Donadio, president and founder of AWT, and his team have placed in our hardworking and dedicated employees,” stated Jeff Bukoski, president of St. Johns Ship Building. “We will also continue to make improvements to our facilities that allow us to construct greater numbers of similar, newbuild vessels.”
“Our team is excited to be moving forward building with St. Johns,” stated Donadio, “this collaborative design-build strategy will enable AWT to parlay its experience to provide future charter clients with the most reliable multi-purpose crew transfer vessels in the U.S. in the years to come.”
The CTVs are being constructed to Chartwell Marine’s flagship CTV design, the Ambitious. They can be U.S. Jones Act-compliant, licensed below United States Coast Guard (USCG) Subchapter L and in a position to function at any wind farm below the protection and inspection requirements of the USCG. AWT presently operates the one two crew switch vessels within the U.S. below long-term contracts, servicing the Block Island Wind Farm for Ørsted and Coastal Virginia Offshore Wind Farm (CVOW) for Dominion Energy.
“We are excited for the opportunity to commence building this series of CTVs for Charlie and his team at AWT. With the owner’s choice of a proven vessel design and our dedication to quality craftsmanship and manufacturing, I look forward to an outstanding result as we further bolster our contribution to the growth of renewable energy,” commented Edward Sheets, government vice chairman of Americraft Marine Group, which acquired the Palatka shipyard earlier this 12 months.
