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Revolutionising Offshore Marine Operations with C-Dart
AJT is proud to collaborate with Blackfish Engineering Limited on the commercialisation of the C-Dart System. Blackfish Engineering conceived this innovative concept, and together with AJT we are bringing this groundbreaking advancement in offshore mooring technology to market.
The C-Dart System has received exceptionally positive feedback to date, and AJT is confident in its successful introduction to the market in partnership with Blackfish Engineering.
Rapid, Reliable, Low-Risk Mooring Solution
Setting New Standards for Safety and Efficiency in Marine Operations
The C-Dart System is an innovative leap forward in offshore mooring technology. Designed initially for renewable energy applications, the C-Dart System offers a groundbreaking approach to safely, efficiently, and quickly connect a variety of floating infrastructure and assets like wave energy converters (WECs), tidal energy converters (TECs), floating solar, offshore wind, aquaculture, and other floating marine structures.
Safety First, Efficiency Always
The C-Dart System has been specifically designed to eliminate the direct handling of heavy mooring lines by operational personnel. This not only drastically reduces the risk of injuries, but also ensures that connections can be made safely in varying sea conditions. By utilizing the principles of gravity, buoyancy, and rope tension, the C-Dart System facilitates a contact-free, automated connection process that secures equipment swiftly and securely.
Streamlined Operations in Challenging Environments
The C-Dart's rapid connect and disconnect capability significantly cuts down the time typically required for offshore operations. This efficiency boost is vital in reducing the overall operational costs and downtime, particularly crucial in the high-stakes environment of renewable energy projects. Whether it's deploying a tidal turbine, service barge, aquaculture pen or securing offshore wind infrastructure, the C-Dart System is engineered to perform reliably under the toughest conditions.
Features and Benefits
- Scalable for mooring loads up to hundreds of tonnes
- Operational Efficiency - No divers, no ROVs, no direct rope or shackle handling
- Low Risk - Totally passive connection, no stored energy, no powered systems
The C-Dart System has an Approval In Principal certification from Bureau Veritas, according to BV-NR493. It is a leading-edge solution in offshore mooring, optimizing both safety and operational efficiency. This advanced system features a reliable mechanical latch connection that simplifies the mooring process, eliminating manual handling and enabling marine operation in a wider range of sea conditions. The passive connection and self-alignment features ensure the C-Dart can be operated under diverse marine conditions, enhancing reliability and reducing vessel operating cost.
Constructed from high-tensile, corrosion-resistant materials, the C-Dart System withstands harsh oceanic environments, extending its service life while minimising maintenance requirements. Its modular design seamlessly integrates with various floating infrastructures, such as wave energy converters and offshore wind support structures, making it a versatile choice for offshore marine operations. The system's ability to rapidly deploy and retrieve moorings significantly cuts operational time and costs, further establishing the C-Dart System as a transformative technology in offshore projects.
By driving efficiencies and ensuring robust performance in demanding conditions, the C-Dart System sets new industry standards for environmental sustainability and operational performance. For more details on how the C-Dart System can streamline your operations, schedule a consultation.
Applications
C-Dart System is a scalable platform technology that can be implemented across a wide variety of marine operations at many scales. Example mooring applications include, but are not limited to:
- Towing a barge and mooring it to a multi-point mooring spread using a tender and the tow vessel
- Piloting a vessel with a tender, and mooring it to a single or multi-point mooring spread
- Mooring a single vessel with no tender to a single buoy. By towing the dart, a single vessel can moor itself and then then drift down stream with the weather or tide. The release can be done via winch or boat hook with only 1 crew member. This is perfect for guard and rescue vessels or river tugs to reduce fuel usege.
- Towing a barge and then quick releasing it from the tow line once it is moored
- Attaching a powered vessel onto floating infrastructure, for example rescuing or repositioning a released floating asset
Follow these youtube links for different applications and implementations of C-Dart.
Testimonial
Tested at the Fort William Underwater Center: the world's most advanced subsea testing facility
Billed as “the most realistic subsea training and testing facility in the world,” the Underwater Centre at Fort William boasts its own sheltered, multiple-depth seawater dive site, a private pier complex, a 1.5 million litre indoor seawater dive tank and full residential accommodation. Based on the banks of Loch Linnhe, a tidal sea loch at the southern end of Scotland’s Great Glen, and run by a team of highly-skilled and experienced instructors and training staff, the Centre enjoys an enviable reputation for training commercial divers and ROV operators, and as a venue for large-scale sea trials.
What did they think?
John Maclellan, Operations Director Subsea Test and Evaluation Centre shared his initial thoughts:
We loved the concept; we ran multiple tests using different configurations and after testing it we were very impressed!
When asked what he thought the main advantages of the C-Dart System are, John said:
- Minimum effort to secure a vessel in a safe manner
- Hands free mooring easily managed by two or even one deck operator
- No entanglement on mooring riser
- Simple and easy to deploy using minimal effort
- Eliminates operator use of shackles, reducing risk of pinch points
Download More Info
Download PDF Flyer
Download slide deck of C-Dart operation
Download Bureau Veritas Certification
The C-Dart concept was developed through the Wave Energy Scotland (WES) Quick Connection Systems (QCS) programme. This competitive, 3 stage Pre-Commercial Procurement approach allowed projects to be fully funded by WES. Progression through this process allowed Blackfish Engineering to address risks and uncertainties at the concept stage and bring forward a highly developed prototype alongside a well-considered marine operations package. The rigorous yet constructive analysis from WES was valuable in moving C-Dart from concept to prototype.
Follow on projects between WES and Blackfish allowed pull testing and initial steps towards certification to be carried out. Most recently an at sea test allowed a real word demonstration of the technology and marine ops to be delivered.
Blackfish’s strategic collaboration with AJT Engineering is the next step towards commercialisation. AJT Engineering provides expertise in precision engineering, manufacturing, Fabrication and provision of Site Services will be invaluable in transforming the C-Dart concept into a robust and scalable technology. Together, Blackfish Engineering and AJT Engineering are pushing the boundaries of what is possible in ocean renewable energy, demonstrating the power of partnership in addressing global energy challenges.
