AIRCAT 35 Crewliner

The AIRCAT 35 Crewliner is a high-speed air-cushioned catamaran developed to provide an alternative to conventional offshore crewboats and helicopters for long-range personnel transfer operations in the offshore oil and gas industry.

Conceived in response to the operational limitations of conventional crew transfer solutions on distant offshore fields, the AIRCAT 35 Crewliner was designed to combine high personnel capacity, fast transit speeds, improved comfort, and enhanced offshore transfer capability within a single platform.

Capable of transporting up to 80 industrial personnel at high speed, the vessel can perform large crew changes in a single voyage or conduct multi-site “milk-run” operations between several offshore installations. With a personnel capacity significantly greater than that of conventional offshore helicopters, a single AIRCAT 35 Crewliner voyage can replace multiple helicopter rotations while also reducing transit times and offshore logistics complexity compared to conventional crewboats.

The vessel combines catamaran architecture with Surface Effect Ship (SES) air-cushion technology. By partially lifting the vessel out of the water, the air cushion significantly reduces hydrodynamic resistance, allowing higher transit speeds and improved fuel efficiency compared to conventional displacement crewboats.

The SES platform also provides important operational advantages during both transit and offshore transfer operations. The Ride Control System (RCS) uses the air cushion to damp vessel motions, improving onboard comfort and reducing fatigue and exposure to seasickness for personnel travelling offshore.

During personnel transfers, the Motion Compensation System (MCS) stabilises the vessel in bow push-on mode against the boat landing and reduces relative sliding motions between the vessel and the offshore structure. This significantly improves transfer safety and extends the operational weather window, allowing transfer operations in sea conditions beyond those typically achievable by conventional crewboats.

The AIRCAT 35 Crewliner currently represents the leading operational platform within the AIRCAT range. Three units have already been built and are in active offshore service, where they have demonstrated the operational capabilities and performance objectives for which the vessel was originally developed.