Upcoming Events

Click Here To See More Events

HOME

NEWS

EMPLOYMENT

MAGAZINE

DIRECTORIES

Precision for Sub-Sea Ops

12/10/2012

The ability of a vessel to do its assigned work in a range of operating conditions is paramount to the success of the vessel. Modern technology has done much to add to a strong tradition of excellence in hull design by Norwegian shipyards. Currently under construction at Norway’s SIMEK Shipyard (http://www.simek.no) in Flekkefjord under Hull Number 127 a Multi Purpose Support Vessel (MSV) for sub-sea research vessel for Simon Møkster Shipping (http://www.mokster.no/).
The 85.45 by 18-meter vessel will be capable of working anywhere in the world and has been designed with a sufficiently shallow draft to allow working relatively close to shore. The design draught will be 4.75 meters. Following on the success of their PSV Stril Mariner (see http://www.haigbrown.com/hotips/?p=313 ) the owner has again chosen Cummins marine diesel engines to power the electrical generators for this new vessel. The four diesel-electric units utilize two Cummins QSK60 and two Cummins QSK50 engines to power two 1900 kW and two 1343 kW generators respectively. In addition to propulsion, the generators will provide power for a range of onboard services including an active heave compensated crane with 2000 meters of wire and a SWL of 70 tons. The diesel-electric units provide power for the vessel’s two 1600 kW azimuthing Rolls-Royce AZPo85 CP thrusters for main propulsion giving. These will give the boat a 14.2-knot speed. Additionally the Cummins-powered generators are central to the redundancy of the Dynamic Positioning (DP2) systems that include three (two swing-down azimuthing and one tunnel) bow thrusters.
The primary role of the vessel will be to tend the two ROVs that can be stored in twin hangers with port and starboard doors for deployment with the 70-ton crane and ten-ton assist winches. To crew the vessel and manage the data generated by the sub-sea research, up to 90 people can be accommodated in comfort and with data processing and conference rooms. The design calls for the engine room with the generator-sets to be located well aft in the ship to provide reduced noise in the accommodation and work areas.
A total of 1175 square meters of deck space, including covered spaces on two deck levels, will make it possible to carry additional containerized labs and, if required, full dive support equipment. An offset helicopter deck will provide ready access for crew changes and scientific staff rotation. Installed tanks will have capacity for 600 cu. meters of fuel and 250 cu. meters of fresh water.
The combination of Cummins diesel-electric power, the two stern and two bow mounted azimuthing thrusters, in addition to the tunnel thruster, will give this vessel redundant dynamic positioning to allow precise location and movement of the ROVs. This will, in turn, provide an efficient and cost effective means of gathering sub-sea data wherever the NIS-IMO special purpose vessel, to be delivered in May of 2014, is assigned.
The, as yet to be named, vessel will be classed: Det Norske Veritas +1A1, GENERAL CARGO CARRIER, SPS, SF, E0, HELDK-S, DYNPOS - AUTR, NAUT OSV (A), COMF-V(3), CLEAN