AIRCAT 25 Crewliner

The AIRCAT 25 Crewliner is a high-speed SES (Surface Effect Ship) developed for offshore personnel transport operations, primarily targeting intrafield missions between installations within the same offshore field, while also remaining suitable for certain onshore-offshore routes depending on operator requirements.

Derived from the AIRCAT 25 WindFarmer platform originally developed for offshore wind operations, the AIRCAT 25 Crewliner features a reconfigured superstructure, a modified bow arrangement, and an interior layout specifically adapted to offshore oil and gas intrafield operations. In particular, the bow geometry was redesigned to interface with the V-shaped boat landings commonly used on offshore oil and gas installations. The vessel is available in either 36-seat or 54-seat configurations. As accommodation spaces are not required for this type of operation, personnel are typically housed directly on offshore installations, allowing the internal layout to be optimised for increased transport capacity.

With transit speeds of up to approximately 52 knots and a substantially higher personnel capacity than conventional intrafield crewboats, the AIRCAT 25 Crewliner can, in certain operational profiles, allow a single vessel to perform missions that would traditionally require several conventional units. Although positioned as a higher-end offshore transport solution, the reduction in the number of vessels required can provide overall operational and fuel consumption savings for offshore operators.

Like other AIRCAT SES platforms, the vessel combines catamaran side hulls with an air cushion system capable of lifting a large proportion of the vessel weight, significantly reducing hydrodynamic resistance and improving both speed and fuel efficiency compared to conventional displacement vessels.

The Ride Control System (RCS) and Motion Compensation System (MCS) help reduce vessel motions during transit and offshore transfer operations, improving onboard comfort, reducing fatigue and exposure to seasickness, and extending the operational weather window. This allows personnel transfers to be performed in more demanding sea conditions than those typically achievable with conventional crewboats, contributing to improved offshore operational continuity and productivity.