To bring this achievement about, detail planning and engineering was essential to optimise the transport of foundation components from the fabricators works in Belgium, by barge, to the port of Vlissingen. At the port, Resolution self loaded 5 foundation sets at a time from the delivery barge, then returned to the LID field to install them.

Quite early on in the installation programme, a number of piles reached premature refusal and Resolution had to be mobbed with drilling equipment to drill/drive the piles to finished level. In parallel with these early piles the array cables were installed by the ROV, LBT1. A vehicle which has been specifically developed by MPI to install the array cables whilst the foundations (or turbines) are being installed. Resolutions multi-tasking ability for transportation, installation and cable works were tested to the full during this phase of the project.

In the latter period of the installation programme and with all the drilling completed, almost 50% of foundations were installed from October to the completion in early December. During that time, the 60 plus onboard installation crews worked seamlessly, 24/7, to achieve such a phenomenal performance.

From start to finish Resolution's performance was faultless, coping magnificently with the North Sea autumn/winter conditions for the transit, in-field movements and jacking operations. With such a track record, Resolution has consolidated her position as one of the prime offshore wind farm installation vessels in the world.

Our Client, Centrica Renewable Energy Ltd, is very pleased with this performance and reinforces the decision they made in spring 2006 to long term charter the Resolution for all their foreseeable offshore wind farm installations.