New networked radar features in 'Full Picture' technology delivery for wind turbine service vessel

Integrated technology focus to support safety and efficiency of operations

Wind turbine service jack-up vessel. Illustration courtesy OSK-Ship Tech.
K-Bridge ‘Composite Picture’ radar CP360.

Nordic Yards in Wismar, Germany, has awarded Kongsberg Maritime a contract to deliver an Integrated Vessel Control System for a new build 80m Wind Turbine Service Jack-Up Vessel, owned by Danish offshore services specialist, DBB Jack-Up. The integrated 'Full Picture' solution covers navigation, automation and manoeuvring systems, and will be one of the first to feature Kongsberg Maritime's recently launched LAN-based Radar system.

The new radar concept, K-Bridge 'Composite Picture' Radar CP360, is an integral part of the K-Bridge navigation system to be installed. With new, user-friendly control of radar video and tracking, CP360 distributes digital radar signals on a local area network (LAN). This makes possible innovative features such as combining radar images from multiple radar transceivers and displaying them as a single composite picture, eliminating blind sectors and providing a single 360 degree view, covering different ranges, around the vessel.

The complete delivery to DBB Jack-Up's new vessel includes K-Chief Alarm Monitoring & Control System, K-Thrust Thruster Control System, K-Bridge Integrated Navigation System and K-Pos DP-22 Dynamic Positioning based on DNV DYNPOS AUTRO (DP II). All key systems are accessible through Kongsberg Maritime's K-Master system, a dual redundant, seated aft and forward bridge solution, which will act as the control centre for vessel navigation, manoeuvring and jack-up operations.

The K-Master working environment puts all functions and data for safe and efficient vessel operation at the fingertips of the seated user via touch screen or lever and button control. Access to operational elements of the DP System, Radar system, ECDIS and Thruster Control are placed in the armrest panels of the Operator chairs, whilst auxiliary systems such as deck lighting, CCTV and windscreen wipers can be controlled. The K-Master aft bridge will also have system elements of the vessel jacking system fully integrated.

"This is the very definition of a Full Picture delivery, as it covers all key technology systems for navigation, automation and manoeuvring," says Sebastian Jobs, Manager Offshore Division, Kongsberg Maritime GmbH. "The integration of our new network Radar solution and use of K-Master positions this new build as one of the most advanced Jack-Up service vessels in the world, and we are confident that our latest technology will integrate seamlessly to support greater operational safety and efficiency during navigation and operations."