Project Summary
Briggs Marine began working with EDF Power Solutions UK & Ireland and ESB on the Neart na Gaoithe (NnG) offshore wind farm in 2019 during the very early stages. With its marine headquarters nearby in the Forth Estuary, Briggs is uniquely positioned to deliver responsive, locally‑based services throughout the project life cycle.
During the construction phase of NnG, Briggs and its sister company, ARB Wind, provided a range of services, including vessel provision, technical services and specialist personnel. Services have been provided during the construction and development phases and have been both long-term arrangements and shorter-term projects.
Pre-Construction Activity
Briggs was involved in a range of activities prior to construction with provision of vessel charter and support with seabed investigation activities.
At a very early stage in the construction project, Briggs was awarded a contract to install, maintain and service the demarcation buoys to delineate the construction site and ensure safe navigation for all passing vessels. Working closely with the client, Briggs proposed mooring and navigation mark solutions that would remain operational and on station in the harsh North Sea conditions.
In addition, Briggs was involved with other associated pre-construction tasks including assisting with pontoon installation at the NnG base in Eyemouth using our diving capability and carrying out seabed investigations and clearance for jack-up barges at mobilisation ports prior to deployment on site.
Construction Phase Support
As the construction phase of the project commenced, Briggs was selected to provide a range of critical support tasks to NnG. As a renowned and well-respected vessel owner/operator, Briggs secured a contract for provision of a full-time, dedicated Crew Transfer Vessel (CTV), the ‘Forth Engineer’ to support construction activities, primarily delivering technicians to site on a daily basis. This often included technicians and specialists provided by Briggs’ sister company, ARB Wind.
Being part of the Forth Engineer crew on a local project like NnG is something I’m extremely proud of. It’s not just a job, we’re supporting Scotland’s shift to clean energy from our own coastline. Derek Thomson, Master, MV Forth Engineer
Briggs was also requested to provide a Walk to Work (W2W) vessel to allow platform access for technicians commissioning the NnG Offshore Substations on NnG. Briggs responded during a period of peak demand for such vessels by providing an innovative solution which involved conversion of a DP subsea vessel to incorporate an approved walk-to-work gangway. The vessel and its conversion received approval and worked extremely well for this element of the construction activity over the peak summer period.
Throughout the construction phase, Briggs was able to offer multiple additional services to NnG, highlighting the company’s range of expertise and its ability to respond to client requests. One of these additional services required infill of a jack-up leg depression located within the planned Inter-array Cable Route. Briggs provided a complete operational solution over the Christmas period to ensure the construction and cable laying project remained on track.
Briggs was also selected to manage the Heavy Lift operations associated with a primary transformer movement from shore to vessel and finally on to the offshore platform. Briggs managed all aspects of this task including heavy lift operations, engineering design, and rigging. The task was completed safely and successfully as a result of detailed lift planning, sea fastening design and risk management. Subsequently, Briggs also managed the installation of two Auxiliary Earthing Transformers on both NnG offshore sub-stations.
Balance of plant works were delivered by our sister company ARB wind throughout the construction phase. Services included 24/7 provision of Offshore Technicians to enable full time project support, ensuring efficient project delivery and avoiding any unnecessary delays. These multi-disciplined technicians carried out a wide variety of scopes including inspections, mechanical & electrical maintenance, lifting support, generator refuelling and bespoke lifting solutions.
All construction services were supported by a dedicated back-office project team that supported the construction throughout this phase with client representatives, procurement and engineering solutions.
Operation & Maintenance Phase
Briggs and ARB Wind continue to support the NnG project into its O&M phase through the award of three significant long term contracts. This builds on the knowledge and experience gained on the NnG project over the last 6 year, reinforcing our position as a trusted offshore wind service partner.
O&M CTV
In May 2024 Briggs was successful in its bid to continue CTV provision for the Operations and Maintenance phase at NnG. Following a successful deployment throughout the construction phase, the ‘Forth Engineer’ is now ably supporting the O&M phase on a long-term contract.
Balance of Plant
ARB Wind were awarded a contract to provide Balance of Plant (BoP), Inspection & Maintenance. To fulfil this contract, ARB Wind will provide dedicated BoP technicians to deliver a wide range of services across NnG’s offshore and onshore assets. These include the WTG foundations, OSS platforms, the onshore substation in East Lothian, the operations and maintenance (O&M) facility in Eyemouth, and storage facilities in Rosyth and Blyth.
Above Water Foundations Inspections
In addition, ARB were awarded the Above Water Foundations Inspections contract to include both baseline and scheduled inspections to ensure the continued integrity of the 56 offshore foundations. Inspections require an initial phase of Remote Visual Inspection (RVI) conducted via Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAV), which will inform and support the scope of subsequent on-asset General and Close Visual Inspections (G/CVI) via techniques including Industrial Rope Access.
Summary
Throughout the development and construction phases of the NnG windfarm, Briggs has been pleased to offer a range of marine services, offering the project first class local content and employing staff and subcontractors from the local area wherever possible.
Briggs remains a critical service provider to NnG and continues to offer long-term support as well as responding to additional requests as required, offering flexibility, quick response and high quality marine services. Briggs is delighted to have played such a key role in this project and hopes to maintain its involvement throughout the full life cycle of the windfarm.
