Svanen Ship Details and Seafarer Feedback

In a significant milestone for renewable energy, Van Oord's heavy lift installation vessel, Svanen, has successfully installed the final of the 32 foundations for Dong Energy's Burbo Bank Extension offshore wind farm. This ambitious project, featuring 32 wind turbines each boasting 8 MW of capacity, will generate a total of 258 MW of clean energy. Once operational, this wind farm is expected to supply electricity to around 230,000 households, making it a pivotal contributor to sustainable energy in the region. According to Van Oord's recent announcement, the project is anticipated to be operational by early 2017. The company played a crucial role not only in the installation of the foundations but also in the provision of scour protection and the logistics necessary for transporting the foundations from fabrication sites located in Germany, Denmark, and the United Kingdom to the offshore site. The Burbo Bank Extension is situated just 8 kilometers off the coast of Liverpool Bay, United Kingdom, positioning it as a key player in the offshore wind sector.

In a proactive response to a serious incident at WPD's 288MW Butendiek offshore wind farm, Ballast Nedam has issued a safety alert following a critical injury sustained by a crew member aboard the 'Svanen' on July 6. The alert underscores the importance of recognizing hazards in high-risk activities, especially after they have been repeatedly performed without incident. To mitigate risks, Ballast Nedam recommends a thorough integration of superintendents, lifting supervisors, riggers, and health, safety, and environmental (HSE) professionals in the evaluation of processes and potential dangers during project phases. Additionally, there is a reiterated focus on clearly defining and communicating the distribution of tasks and responsibilities, particularly during concurrent high-risk operations. This communication should occur at the beginning of each shift's work briefing. The safety measures put forth in the alert have already been in practice at Eon's 288MW Amrumbank West offshore wind farm, where the 'Svanen' was engaged in monopile installations. The Danish worker injured in the incident has required further surgical intervention and faces a lengthy recovery, having spent six weeks hospitalized. This unfortunate accident was triggered when an emergency towing line became ensnared beneath the 'Svanen', leading to a series of events culminating in a snapped wire that struck the worker. In collaboration with WPD and the injured crew member's employer, Apro Wind, Ballast Nedam established a joint accident investigation team, which operated under the oversight of an independent entity. Following identification of the root causes and the implementation of preventive measures, the 'Svanen' successfully resumed monopile installation operations on July 11.

Early on July 7, 2014, a dramatic rescue unfolded as the lifeboat 'Pidder Lüng' from the DGzRS station in List/Sylt responded to an emergency call from the offshore wind farm Butendiek, located approximately 19 miles west of Sylt. A 60-year-old worker aboard the 'Svanen' suffered serious injuries in an accident, requiring immediate medical attention. Due to a thunderstorm in the area, a helicopter was unable to respond, prompting the lifeboat to mobilize with a medical team onboard. At 2:45 a.m., the injured individual was successfully transferred to the 'Pidder Lüng' and was stabilized during the challenging journey back to List. Once the thunderstorm subsided, an air ambulance was dispatched to transport the worker to the Hospital in Heide for further treatment. The timely and efficient response of the DGzRS highlights the critical role of maritime rescue services in emergency situations. For more information and photos, visit the German reports here: http://www.seenotretter.de/presse/pressemitteilungen-im-detail/article/lister-seenotretter-holen-schwer-verletzten-offshore-arbeiter-von-einem-errichterschiff.html