The US Offshore Marine Service Association (OMSA) - which comprises 225 members, including 100 OSV owners and operators - has established a dedicated Wind Committee to pursue opportunities within the country's offshore renewables sector.The association insists that all domestic offshore wind farm support boats must be built and maintained "in a Jones Act-compliant manner". However, opportunities are ripe for international naval architects, as UK-headquartered BMT Specialised Ship Design has discovered. Wind energy major 0rsted and support services provider WindServe Marine recently contracted BMT to draw up the plans for two aluminium CTVs to service the US' nascent turbine farms. These will reportedly be the second and third such vessels constructed in the US, following the lead set by Atlantic Pioneer, which was built by Blount Boats in 2016 (see Significant Small Ships of 2016, pages 12-13). The state of New Jersey recently awarded 0rsted a contract to develop 1.100MW of wind energy off its coastline.The first of the new duo will be built by US Workboats in North Carolina, and the second by Senseco Marine of Rhode Island. Each will measure 22.3m × 7m, draw 1.4m and accommodate four crewmen and 20 technicians. Each CTV will run on four Scania DI16 engines and four Hamilton HM461 waterjets, producing a top speed of 28knots.
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