GeoSea, Deme Group’s specialist offshore marine construction unit, is to use an innovative pile lifting tool on Vattenfall’s Horns Rev3 offshore windfarm.
“Our marine equipment business stream has been working with windfarm developers and contractors to develop a range of lifting and handling equipment,” explained Houlder’s marine equipment director, James Russell.
“Our lifting tool has been designed for safer and faster offshore windfarm installation operations. The remote controlled hook-up and release system engages directly with a foundation pile’s flange. This eliminates the need for additional lifting points or straps – the optimal solution where the lifting point overhangs the deck of the installation vessel or is out of reach. For the current project the tool will be configured to lift 6.5m diameter monopiles at 690 tonnes. Options are available for larger and heavier piles in future.”
