Webtool cutters selected for Monopile installation Noise Mitigation System

Hydraulic tools specialist, Allspeeds has designed, built and supplied Webtool™ steel wire emergency cutters to specialist hydraulic drive engineers, Hydrauvision, for a noise mitigation system (NMS) deployed during offshore wind monopile installation.

The NMS consists of a screen with a ballast box which can be lowered to and hoisted from the seabed by 14 hydraulic winches, mounted on individual support frames installed around the pile gripper system. Each support frame includes a Webtool™ cutter installed alongside the winch. During normal use, the wire rope from each winch passes through a cutter without making contact. In the event the monopile becomes unbalanced, the 14 cutters can be activated remotely, simultaneously cutting the wire ropes and releasing the NMS screen.

The NMS is being deployed by DEME’s HLV Orion, the newest member of their fleet. The vessel is equipped with a 5,000-tonne crane and a motion-compensated pile gripper system which are used to instal monopiles for Offshore wind projects.

“Each cutter is connected to an accumulator that can provide the required oil pressure and flow when needed. In case of an emergency, the lines can be cut quickly, safely and simultaneously by the Webtool wire rope cutters.” says Rory McGarry, technical director, Allspeeds.

The Webtool™ range of high-performance cutting tools is designed and manufactured in the UK by Allspeeds Ltd.

For more information on the Webtool™ hydraulic cutters call +44 (0)1254 615100, email: info@allspeeds.co.uk, or visit www.allspeeds.co.uk.