On 4 February 2023 the Windea Leibniz upgrade was completed at Ulstein Verft.
With an increase of cabins from 60 to over 80, the vessel has transitioned from an SOV to a Commissioning Service Operation Vessel (CSOV).
Additionally, the yard has installed one extra pedestal on the stern for Baltic Sea operations to complement the existing, now height-adjustable, North Sea pedestal.
The upgrade expands the operational range of “Windea Leibniz” and makes her even more attractive for the offshore market.
The upgrade included a 50% increase in accommodation capacities on board. Therefore, extensive reconstruction of the changing/drying rooms, conference rooms and day rooms was executed.
In total, the cabin capacity was increased from 63 to 81 cabins. Windea Leibniz is now enabled to accommodate up to 85 technical staff for wind farms, service personnel and crew.
Another major milestone was the installation of a new height-adjustable pedestal for the motion-compensated gangway, making the vessel more flexible in offshore wind farms.
Now the gangway can operate in a range between 17.5 metres and 23 metres height above the waterline when fully extended.
When Bernhard Schulte Offshore decided to install a second pedestal for the gangway at the stern, it was based on the knowledge that hardly any other operating offshore wind service vessels could take on assignments in the Baltic Sea as well as in the North Sea.
In the Baltic Sea, service platforms are generally lower located than in the North Sea. The existing gangway can be used on both pedestals.
