HARKAND has successfully completed the $10.5million (USD) upgrade of its Gulf of Mexico based dive support vessel (DSV) Swordfish. Originally built in 2007, the Swordfish is the youngest DSV in this region and has been upgraded to the highest safety standards in the offshore industry.

The fully International Marine Contractors Association (IMCA) compliant, ABS classed, 104 m long, DP2 DSV features a newly upgraded 15-man saturation diving system with a three-man bell along with a new 165’ surface diving system.

The vessel comes fitted with a new build 18-man self-propelled hyperbaric lifeboat (SPHL) for evacuation of the divers under saturation in case of an emergency. This SPHL can be coupled with a newly built and dedicated portable hyperbaric rescue facility (HRF) to ensure safe decompression of divers.

Following the upgrade work being carried out at the Port of Galveston, Mike Brown general manager of diving operations for North America and Africa, said: “Our commitment to establish industry standard in safety is exemplified by this recent investment to upgrade the Swordfish ensuring that the vessel not only meets but surpasses the required IMCA safety standards.

“The Swordfish with its new surface diving system, the upgraded saturation diving system, dual 70 and 150 Te active heave compensated (AHC) cranes, heavy duty work-class XLS ROV and its own dedicated SPHL and HRF will be the most advanced DSV in this region and enable us to tackle the most challenging IRM and light construction projects for any operator.“ Harkand provides offshore vessels, ROVs, diving, survey services, project management and engineering to the oil and gas and renewables industries. Headquartered in London with operations bases in Aberdeen, Houston, Mexico Nigeria and Ghana, Harkand aims to be the leading subsea IRM and light construction contractor globally.