What Crew Members Say About Aeolus

In a significant advancement, Van Oord has upgraded its offshore installation vessel Aeolus by successfully fitting it with a cutting-edge 1,600 tonnes crane, as announced in their recent press release. This new crane, engineered by Huisman, was installed with the expertise of Heerema’s Thialf, enhancing Aeolus’s capabilities to manage the newest generation of foundations and turbines essential for offshore wind energy projects. The innovative design features a leg encircling crane that integrates with the portside aft jack-up leg, while the boom is efficiently stored around the forward leg, optimizing deck space. This impressive upgrade allows the vessel to lift nearly double the capacity of its previous crane. Moreover, this modernization will not only amplify loading capacity but also increase accommodation capacity and expand the size of the helicopter deck. Van Oord's strategic decision to enhance the Aeolus underscores their commitment to remaining competitive in an evolving market landscape. The upgraded vessel is scheduled to be operational starting in Spring 2018.

In a frightening incident at Damen Shipyard in Schiedam, a gantry crane collapsed under the pressure of severe storm winds on January 3, 2017, narrowly missing the repair ship "Aeolus" which has been undergoing conversion work since August 2017. The incident occurred between 03:00 and 03:45 a.m., and fortunately, no injuries were reported. Despite being properly secured and having brakes engaged in anticipation of the storm, the crane—a long-standing icon in Schiedam—failed to withstand the turbulent conditions and toppled. One leg of the crane fell directly into the drydock, and the cause of the collapse is currently under investigation. It is estimated that the removal of the fallen gantry crane from the drydock will take approximately 3 to 4 weeks. The crane landed in a forward position, onto sections being prepared for the wind turbine installation vessel "Aeolus," allowing for minimal disruption to the ongoing upgrade work. Mammoet Salvage, located adjacent to Damen, is assisting with the crane recovery operations. Due to the crane collapse, it may take Damen Shipyard an entire year to return to its previous operational capacity, necessitating the rental of additional cranes to compensate for the lost lifting power. For more insights and visuals of the incident, you can check out the comprehensive coverage provided in the following links: - [Heavy Lift News](http://www.heavyliftnews.com/accidents/storm-takes-its-toll-at-damen-shipyard--schiedam) - [Video Coverage on YouTube](https://www.youtube.com/watch?time_continue=20&v=vT4YU2JFqSg) - [Flash Photo News](https://www.flashphoto.nl/nieuws/6358/Brugkraan-omgewaaid-bij-Damen-Adminraal-de-Ruyterstraat-Schiedam.html) - [Stadsomroep Schiedam](http://www.stadsomroepschiedam.nl/brugkraan-damen-shiprepair-omgewaaid/nieuws/item?1058829)

Van Oord has taken a significant step forward in its offshore operations by signing a contract for the enhancement of its installation vessel, the Aeolus, with DAMEN Shiprepair in Schiedam. This comprehensive upgrade program is designed to bolster the vessel's capabilities, focusing on increased loading capacity, improved accommodation, and enhanced crane performance. Key modifications include the addition of sponsons, a reinforced deck, larger spud cans, and a new accommodation module complete with a helideck. The existing crane, rated at 900 tonnes, will be replaced with an impressive 1,600 tonnes Leg Encircling Crane, marking a substantial increase in lifting capacity. These enhancements will empower Van Oord to tackle the installation of larger foundations and heavier turbines for offshore wind projects. Scheduled to commence in September 2017, the modifications will wrap up by spring 2018, making the Aeolus a leader in its class with the largest heavy-lift crane. The new crane has been ordered from Huisman, renowned for its expertise in heavy installation equipment, based in Schiedam and Rotterdam. Previously engaged in landmark projects such as the offshore wind farms Gemini and Luchterduinen, the Aeolus will soon embark on new endeavors post-upgrade, including the Borssele 3 & 4 offshore wind farm in the Netherlands and the Norther project in Belgium.