VESSEL FOR TRANSPORTING WIND TURBINES AND METHODS THEREOF

A vessel having the capability of storing, transporting, and installing between one and ten wind turbines is provided. Such a vessel includes a hull having a hull periphery. The vessel further includes at least two rear jack-up legs, and at least one forward jack-up leg, movably attached to the hull, as well as a jacking mechanism connected to each of the jack-up legs for elevating and lowering each jack-up leg relative to the hull between elevated and lowered positions. The vessel also includes at least two rear azimuthing thrusters affixed to a lower side of the transom; and at least one front azimuthing thruster affixed to a lower side of the bow. The vessel further includes at least four, preferably at least six, wind-turbine-column foundations, and at least two wind-turbine-blade brackets individually mounted to the side of the transport vessel.