| Written by Michal Wozniakowski-Zehenter
What is the Fast Crew Boat?
The fast crew boat (FCB) is generally a high-speed boat designed to transfer the crew, equipment, and supplies to and from offshore installations. They are normally made from light materials, such as aluminium alloys, with the main aim of achieving high speeds and good manoeuvrability, hence being able to cut through long distances in very bad sea conditions in record time. The FCBs offer stability, safety, and comfort to the passengers and crew at offshore platforms, wind farms, or wherever in any remote location offshore with speed and efficiency.
These were coming in several sizes and configurations - from small crafts carrying up to a handful of passengers to large vessels well able to carry over 100 people and heavy cargo (see also: windfarm support vessels). Considering the relatively small size of the boats, these were fitted with state-of-the-art navigation, communication, and safety equipment and were, therefore, very reliable in offshore missions.
Tasks and Roles of a Fast Crew Boat
Such a crew boat reaches great speeds and is mainly used for crew transportation, delivering all types of cargo that offshore installations like oil and gas platforms or wind farms might need. It is much more than just a means of transferring personnel ashore. As a matter of fact, FCBs can do almost everything, making them one of the most versatile vessels in the offshore sector.
The most apparent and principal responsibility of a fast crew boat is the transportation of personnel to and from offshore installations. These boats provide that very important link between the shore base and the offshore platform or wind farm, thus often running shuttle services. In offshore, where there is normally a tight schedule and operation round the clock, the ability to transport crew members quickly and safely becomes very important. Regarding the last one, comfort and safety concern the passengers, especially on longer voyages. These FCBs are designed and constructed in such a way as to offer riding comfort, saloon air-conditioning, seating arrangements suitable for bad weather/rough seas, life rafts, and emergency evacuation systems. Advanced stabilisation systems introduced into modern fast crew boats assure minimum seasickness during navigation in the case of adverse weather conditions. In addition to people, the fast crew boats are designed to take a variety of cargo on board, ranging from basic consumables like food and water right through to special equipment and replacement parts. The various offshore platforms and wind farms require constant maintenance; as such, a seamless supply chain is important to prevent costly delays. They will play a major role in ensuring that maintenance and operational requirements are met without breakdown, carrying moderate loads as they do.
Some FCBs have cargo decks that allow for large machinery and other elements, such as wind turbines, to be moved with additional use of cranes or lifting systems installed on such vessels for loading and unloading, further increasing their versatility and value to support offshore operations. Fast crew boats serve equally as platforms supporting maintenance operations rather than just transport vessels, especially on offshore wind farms. In such scenarios, the speed and flexibility of the fast crew boat enables maintenance teams to reach the turbines as fast as possible. In the event of rapid changes in weather conditions, maintenance jobs may not be held up more than at a minimum when a crew boat is available at the location. They may also carry the special tool kits and equipment needed for the repair and maintenance jobs of wind turbines or other offshore infrastructures along with carrying the maintenance personnel. They may be provided with small cranes or derricks to raise equipment onto or off of the platform.
Fast crew boats offer several critical responses in the case of a sea emergency. Be it at the offshore platform for a medical emergency, catching fire, or failing equipment, FCBs normally come first in any form of emergency response. With their speed, they can get to sites of emergencies quicker compared to any other vessel, hence affording immediate assistance or evacuation of personnel to safety. In medical emergencies, minutes are golden hours; therefore, fast crew boats are designed to reach the injured or ill personnel such as an onshore location where proper medical treatment is provided as early as possible. They are designed with basic medical tools and personnel who are properly trained in first-aid measures to keep the patients in stable condition during transportation. Other functions can also come in coordinating their operations with other emergency vessels, such as search and rescue boats, for rescue purposes. Indeed, the possibility of operating in rough seas and of making quick changes in their course renders them fully suitable to respond to a given distress call or to perform search operations in offshore environments.
The nature of the job for an offshore worker is shift-based or rotational; therefore, crew change becomes common. Carrying out such crew change operations in an efficient way falls within the role of fast crew boats. These boats would pick up the incoming crew from the shore base or any other location and take them to the offshore site, bringing back the offshore outgoing crew for rest and rotation. Considering the staffing at each single offshore wind farm and oil platform that is needed, crew boats have to operate on very tight schedules to minimise downtime for accommodating shifts after shifts. All this is particularly important at any location where the use of transportation through helicopters becomes impossible because of weathering or budgetary issues.
Collaboration with SOVs in Wind Park Maintenance
Today, one of the biggest sectors in which the importance of fast crew boats has grown is offshore wind energy. Due to the ever-growing demand for clean energy across the globe, the number and size of offshore wind farms are continuously increasing. Wind farms are often developed far from the coast in deep waters, where maintaining turbines becomes very complicated and tough due to logistical problems. This would mean that the fast crew boats work in tandem with the SOVs on site to effectively operate these wind parks.
SOVs are bigger vessels that act like floating maintenance bases for wind farms situated offshore. They, the SOVs allow housekeeping for the maintenance personnel, workshops, and all types of special equipment needed for maintaining wind turbines. SOVs are installed with a dynamic positioning system that allows them to stay in place for longer periods near the turbines (see also: walk-to-work).
The fast crew boats complement the SOVs in the operations of offshore wind farms. While SOVs act as the main supporting hub for the maintenance teams, the fast crew boats grant agility in speed to transfer personnel and lighter equipment between the shore base, the SOV, and the individual wind turbines.
In this case, the SOV would often remain stationed for days, if not weeks, around a cluster of wind turbines while fast crew boats shuttled maintenance personnel with their required spare parts to either the SOV or directly to the turbines. This would allow wind farm operators to use their maximum time in performing maintenance and repairs rather than wasting time, hence increasing overall productivity within a wind farm. From this point of view, the servicing of service operation vessels by fast crew boats gains very high importance during periods of bad weather, which demands speed and flexibility to ensure that critical repairs are effected before further deterioration of the weather. Besides, FCBs have the aptitude to navigate rough seas, and this capacity of taking small, specialised teams to each turbine makes these boats an invaluable asset in keeping uptime for offshore wind parks (learn more about crew attendance and electronic POB).
The Role of Fast Crew Boats in Emergencies
Emergencies related to offshore installations may range from minor medical emergencies to fires, mechanical failures, or bad weather. Because of their speed, versatility, and proximity to the offshore installation in question, the call for assistance at such a time would normally fall to the fast crew boats.
The most important function of FCB in emergency cases is the operation of medevac or medical evacuation. Offshore platforms, mainly the oil rigs and wind farms, represent quite a dangerous environment where injuries and medical emergencies can happen at any moment. Whether it is a worker who has fallen or somebody who is having a heart attack, whatever the condition, the possibility of his relocation to the shore as quickly as possible exists. Fast crew boats are designed to carry stretcher-bound patients and are fitted out with basic medical facilities: first aid kits, oxygen, and defibrillators. In liaison with the medical personnel on the platform and ashore, the FCB acts to move a patient to any hospital or medical facility.
Of these, the most dangerous is fire and equipment failure. If not addressed, for instance, a fire on an oil rig or a fault in a wind turbine farm can get disastrous in less than a few minutes. Here, the fast crew boats often come into operation when immediate interventions are required, either by evacuating personnel from the scene or ferrying firefighting equipment with personnel to the scene, for crippled oil rig pumps or a part of a wind turbine generator, special repair crews together with all their equipment are taken to the site by FCBs. In such a way, their speed at the site means that repairs can start straightaway to avoid delays and further damage.
Great dangers of rough seas, storms, and even hurricanes occur with the offshore operation. In operations like this, when it is urgent to take action, fast crew boats are used, as their speed and rough-condition travelling capability make them the vessel of preference, mainly to evacuate personnel ahead of a major storm from platforms or wind farms. Also, for catastrophic storms, they support the operations by ferrying the teams back to the site to undertake post-storm damage assessment and start the repair works as soon as the weather improves. Since they can provide a number of emergency responses, the FCBs will be able to reestablish offshore operations in a safe but as-soon-as-possible manner (see also: Emergency mustering).
The Crew of a Fast Crew Boat
Behind every fast crew boat is a highly competent and experienced crew that is supposed to ensure the vessel operates safely and efficiently. On any FCB, there are a number of important roles that might be essential for mission success.
The most senior officer on a fast crew boat is the master or captain, who commands the vessel. His responsibilities include controlling the boat through navigation, observing all safety regulations, and making the right decisions in emergency conditions. The captain shall have vast knowledge of maritime navigation, weather conditions, and offshore regulations that guarantee the safety of the crew and passengers on board.
The chief officer, or first mate, is the second in command to the captain and participates in the vessel's day-to-day running. Supervising crew members, monitoring the loading and unloading of cargo, and involving himself in every aspect of safety on board are just several of the first officer's direct responsibilities. If a critical situation is on board, the first officer takes over command when the captain cannot lead.
The engineer is in charge of the boat engines and electrical and mechanical equipment. Since most long voyages go deep into heavy seas, this post becomes quite important for the smooth and effective running of the vessel. The engineer will conduct routine maintenance and repair so that no machinery fails during the mission.
The deckhands have various duties, including aiding in mooring, loading and unloading cargo, and cleaning the vessel. They also play major roles in safety drills and emergency procedures to prepare the boat for whatever might arise. Often, deckhands get cross-trained in basic navigation and mechanical skills to support other crew members in times of need.
On longer journeys, such as a voyage that will take a few days, a cook or steward could be included in the crew to prepare meals and attend to passengers and crew members. While not always part of the standard crew on shorter voyages, this position will become vital when the vessel is to be used in extended operations—such as servicing wind farms offshore.
FAQ
What is the primary function of a fast crew boat in offshore operations?
A fast crew boat primarily serves to transport personnel, equipment, and supplies to and from offshore installations such as oil platforms and wind farms. These vessels are designed for speed and agility, allowing them to cover long distances quickly and safely, even in challenging sea conditions. In addition to personnel transport, fast crew boats can carry essential cargo, playing a key role in maintenance support by delivering specialised equipment and teams to offshore locations. They are also frequently involved in crew change operations, ensuring that workers can be rotated efficiently and without delays.
How does a fast crew boat assist in emergencies?
Fast crew boats are critical in responding to emergencies at offshore installations. Due to their speed and manoeuvrability, they can quickly reach an emergency site, whether it involves a medical evacuation, fire, or equipment failure. These vessels often transport injured or ill personnel to shore for urgent medical care, and they are equipped with basic medical facilities to stabilise patients during transit. In emergencies such as storms or equipment malfunctions, fast crew boats evacuate personnel and deliver specialised repair teams and equipment, ensuring safety and preventing further damage to the offshore infrastructure.
TAKEAWAY
Fast crew boats represent one of the most important assets in the offshore maritime industry, serving as a key link between land and sea-based operations. Their speed, versatility, and ability to operate in challenging conditions render them indispensable for providing transportation services for personnel, cargo, and equipment to offshore platforms and wind farms. During emergencies, FCBs act as first responders, offering swift evacuations and support. Fast crew boats will remain important with the growth and expansion of the offshore wind energy sector in providing maintenance and support to wind farms. Their interaction with the Service Operation Vessels provides timely and efficient maintenance, contributing to smooth functioning with respect to the offshore installations.
Delve into one of our core topics: Personnel on board
Sources:
(1) https://www.oedigital.com/news/514106-damen-delivers-third-low-emission-offshore-wind-fast-crew-boat-to-purus
(2) https://seanews.co.uk/shipping-news/innovative-hybrid-fast-crew-boat-set-to-revolutionise-malaysias-maritime-industry/
Author
Michal Wozniakowski-Zehenter, Marketing Manager
Michal Wozniakowski-Zehenter is an experienced marketing and project management professional. He spent most of his career on projects with a strong focus on digital marketing and event management. He is a very active voice representing offshore and mining industries through social media channels. Michal writes mainly about offshore oil and gas, renewable energy, mining and tunnelling. Compiling and sharing the knowledge within industries is one of his goals.
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