• Renewable energy

Continental drift drives deal

James Fisher seals another marine energy deal with a complex project delivered by Mojo Maritime in French waters

Mojo Maritime SAS (Mojo) has completed the challenging first element of a project with French company, SABELLA SAS, successfully retrieving its D10 tidal turbine situated close to the island of Ushant in the Passage du Fromveur. Mojo will reinstall the turbine once essential maintenance work has been completed.

As part of the project the Mojo team designed and built a bespoke remotely operated subsea launch and recovery (LARS) frame to shift the 120 tonne turbine. 

The LARS frame and berth which allows for rapid retrieval and recovery of the turbine from the seabed, were designed by project manager Jovian Stone. They were delivered to the quay in Falmouth within four weeks.

"I am very proud of the team for developing innovative and robust solutions which allow for rapid, efficient and safe retrieval of the turbine."

Says Mojo's managing director, Richard Parkinson.

"It was a complicated and delicate operation and we are very pleased to have executed the first phase against challenging deadlines."

Fanch Le Bris, chief executive officer of SABELLA adds;

"We have really appreciated Mojo's close collaboration, high level of expertise and capacity to manage potentially stressful situations. We also would like to highlight the quality of the vessel and all equipment involved in this operation which have been key to the project's success in such a hostile environment."

The team made full use of the Mermaid weather analysis software to enable cost reductions and project optimisation. Mermaid is being called upon to provide critical information for the reinstallation of the turbine, which the team aims to complete in just two days.