Falmouth-based Mojo Maritime has been recognised for its expertise in a complex tidal turbine retrieval project

Mojo successfully retrieved Sabella's D10 tidal energy turbine device during the first phase of a complex marine engineering project, using innovative marine operations planning system, Mermaid, which mitigated against weather and extreme tidal risks of project.

Selected as the world leader in tidal energy marine operations, Mojo Maritime, was awarded a contract with Sabella SAS (Sabella), a French tidal energy company, which required the retrieval and demonstration of re-installation of its D10 tidal turbine to enable planned maintenance to improve a continued secure source of electricity power supply.

The scope of the first phase of the tidal device contract included the design and manufacture of bespoke, project critical equipment, a remote launch and recovery system and docking frame, which were both manufactured and commissioned to a high standard exceptionally quickly to meet a very short lead time due to the project’s demanding schedule. The D10 turbine will be reinstalled during the autumn after a period of maintenance.

Sabella's D10 tidal turbine is the first device to have ever exported electricity onto the French power grid, achieving 70MWh of production so far. The device has been installed to provide electricity to nearby isolated Ushant Island, which previously produced all of its electricity with diesel generators, and its inhabitants are the first people to consume marine generated electricity in France.

Fanch Le Bris, Sabella's CEO said; “Sabella's team really enjoyed working with Mojo on this complex project with a number of engineering and maritime challenges. We as a team have really appreciated your close collaboration, high level expertise and your capacity to manage potential situations of stress.”

The retrieval project was lead locally through Mojo Maritime France SAS to allow efficient project management with Sabella, local sub-contractors and coordination of all logistics within French waters. The operation was undertaken using the DP-3 vessel Aker Wayfarer.

Mojo Maritime is renowned for its specialist project management and consultancy services, utilising its sophisticated marine operations planning and analysis system, Mermaid, to provide advanced understanding of the weather risk of the device retrieval project, and its potential impact on the schedule to enable significant cost reductions and project optimisation.

Managing director Richard Parkinson said: “We are very pleased to have executed the first phase of this project against challenging deadlines. I am very proud of the Mojo team for developing innovative and robust solutions allowing for rapid, efficient and safe retrieval and re-installation of the turbine. The design and fabrication of the LARS and berth in such a short time, just four weeks, was very impressive and took a huge effort. The results were excellent and we were able to draw on years of experience operating on tidal energy projects.”