Vessel operators are investing in expanding their fleet and operational capabilities in response to increased demand for CTVs to meet Europe’s burgeoning offshore wind capacity. Central to facilitating this rapid expansion is the extent to which these vessel operators are able to digitalize their operations.
Christopher Monan, COO, HST, said: “HST has commissioned an integrated system to deliver complete oversight over our fleet and personnel compliance, as well as to stay on top of vessel health. Having a central point of access for fleet-wide performance and operational reporting has significantly cut our administrative burden across the board – enabling crews to focus on maximizing ‘time on turbine’ whilst empowering the shore team to expand our operational capabilities with innovative new vessels like the HST Ella, a hybrid Chartwell 24.”
Christian Adams, Managing Director, CrewSmart, said: “Crew managers have one of the hardest jobs in the industry – a challenge which is compounded as an operator expands. CrewSmart is designed to support them by adding flags and safeguards around ongoing crew and vessel compliance, streamlining the process of allocating the right crew to the right vessels and the right vessels to the right projects.”
An HST vessel in transit. Credit HST Ltd.
BareFLEET and CrewSmart’s integrated reporting function also supports HST’s aim to be as open and communicative as possible with its clients, a positive relationship building exercise that the firm believes is key to its ongoing success.
Christopher Monan continued: “Accessed via CrewSmart’s vessel diary feature, BareFLEET’s reporting allows us to demonstrate to our clients where we add the most value. We can provide evidence to illustrate which conditions our vessels operate best in, how these conditions effect the vessel, and demonstrate our safety record in a clear, concise manner. This data not only allows us to make informed operational decisions around which vessels to deploy to which projects, but also improves our understanding of our suitability to tender to specific projects.”
Chris Huxley Reynard, Managing Director, Reygar Ltd, said: “While BareFLEET was initially created to drive operational and commercial efficiencies for vessel operators, a key feature of the platform that has emerged over the last couple of years is how it allows leading operators like HST to respond directly to their end customer’s priorities. We are able to support HST’s focus on operator-to-project owner transparency by creating client-specific reporting templates that bring each company’s KPI’s front and center.
“The BareFLEET system also leaves HST well placed to bring innovative new vessels into the fleet. For example, HST have commissioned the largest battery bank option for its new Chartwell 24, HST Ella, and our vessel health and performance monitoring function will support HST in demonstrating that it is possible to eradicate fuel burn in ports and when moving between turbines by relying on electric propulsion alone – this will cut emissions, engine noise, and fuel costs.”