The Wind Turbine Installation Vessel (WTIV) Charybdis completed the installation of the first 14.7 megawatt wind turbine generator for the Coastal Virginia Offshore Wind (CVOW) project on January 27. While two pilot turbines have been in operation since 2020 in the CVOW, they are a much smaller design for generating 6 megawatts (MW) – part of the proof-of-concept pilot program. American Maritime Officers represents all licensed officers onboard the WTIV Charybdis. The completion of the first 14.7 MW wind turbine generator brings to fruition Dominion Energy’s ambitious plan to build and operate the first Jones Act qualified WTIV. AMO officers remain on the leading edge of this trade onboard the first WTIV operating under the U.S. flag.
The Charybdis is a self-elevating vessel equipped with a DP-2 dynamic positioning system. She is outfitted to carry four 14.7 MW wind turbine generators from her homeport of Portsmouth, Va. to the CVOW field and install them using her 2,200-metric-ton SWL main crane. Charybdis will continue installation of the balance of the 175 remaining turbines in the CVOW field 27 nautical miles off the coast of Virginia Beach. When completed, CVOW will provide 2.6 gigawatts of power, enough for 660,000 homes.
