The international science community’s newest ocean research platform, a deep-rated remotely operated vehicle (ROV) called SuBastian, will be positioned and navigated using acoustic and inertial technologies supplied by Sonardyne Inc., based in Houston.
Built by the Schmidt Ocean Institute (SOI), a private non-profit operating foundation located in California, SuBastian will provide scientists from around the world with new opportunities to explore and study the ocean. Capable of diving to 4,500 meters, the vehicle has been equipped with a state-of-the-art equipment package that includes a reconfigurable payload skid for deploying and recovering experiments, a 4K Ultra-High Definition camera capable of streaming live video to the surface and a comprehensive suite of scientific sampling sensors.
Following a survey of the deep ocean research experts that make up SuBastian’s Science Advisory Group, the need for both accurate and multiple means of subsea navigation was identified as a priority mission requirement. The group commented that provision of the best available integrated acoustic and inertial navigation sensors underpinned the scientific value of the observations and data gathered by SuBastian.
When SuBastian enters service this summer, it will be operated from SOI’s research vessel, Falkor, which has been operating with Sonardyne’s Ranger 2 Ultra-Short BaseLine (USBL) acoustic positioning system since 2012. During that time, the system has provided scientists with the ability to track equipment down to abyssal depths in excess of 5,000 meters.
Based on their extensive track record with Ranger 2, SOI and Sonardyne worked together to configure an integrated navigation solution for SuBastian. This resulted in the supply of a SPRINT Inertial Navigation System (INS), Syrinx 600 kHz Doppler Velocity Log (DVL) and a Wideband Mini Transponder (WMT), all of which is compatible with the Falkor’s existing Ranger 2 topside hardware.
Now in its third generation, Sonardyne’s SPRINT exploits the long-term precision of acoustic positioning with the continuous availability and fast update rate of inertial sensors. This combination provides robust vehicle positioning during periods of challenging acoustic conditions and helps to improve sensor data quality and vehicle control. Uniquely, SPRINT supports dual gyrocompass and INS operating modes, meaning that SuBastian’s pilots and science teams will be able to rely upon its output simultaneously. Its new, lightweight titanium housing also provides valuable space and weight savings that can instead be used for scientific payload or samples.
SuBastian is also now one of the first research vehicles in the world to benefit from Sonardyne’s recently introduced Syrinx DVL. DVLs are an important element of any ROV’s navigation system as they enable the vehicle’s velocity and distance travelled to be measured. When tightly integrated with INS, acoustic and depth observations, a true estimate of the vehicle’s position can be calculated.
Syrinx differs from other DVLs in that it offers high altitude (up to 175 meters) navigation capability normally only available from a 300 kHz DVL with the high precision and accuracy of a 1200 kHz DVL. Its adaptive bottom lock has been demonstrated to provide consistency and reliability over challenging and changing seafloor topography, which together with its high update rate, will enable SuBastian to undertake complex missions in any environment.
Completing the navigation suite for SuBastian is WMT, a high-power USBL transponder built upon Sonardyne’s latest 6G (sixth generation) wideband acoustic architecture that provides robust, high update rate positioning in any water depth, shallow or deep.
Commenting on this major contract, Kim Swords, Senior Application Engineer with Sonardyne in Houston said, “SuBastian is the first vehicle in the world to be equipped with a full spread of our Ranger 2 USBL, SPRINT INS and Syrinx DVL technologies. We’ve worked closely with SOI to configure the optimum subsea navigation solution for SuBastian so that when it begins to acquire data for the international science community later this summer, it will do so with the highest precision possible.”
For more information on SPRINT, click here
For more information on the Schmidt Ocean Institute, click here
Specialist aluminium boatbuilder, Aluminium Marine Consultants (AMC), has added a new surface effect ship (SES) design to its portfolio which is geared towards the crew transfer vessel market and designed by Norway’s Espeland and Skomedal Naval Architects (ESNA).
The new ESNA Tern SES CTV is a next generation high performance crew transfer vessel, offering turbine access in up to 2.5m significant wave height, with a maximum speed above 40 knots and greatly reduced speed loss in high seas.
Rob Stewart, commercial director, AMC, said: “This vessel is unique in the qualities that it offers and we’re very excited to work with ESNA. This new design will enhance the AMC portfolio and help innovate the crew transfer vessel market.”
The vessel’s tern hull consists of two slender catamaran hulls with the area between the hulls closed with flexible reinforced rubber fingers in the bow and an inflated rubber bag in the stern.
This allows centrifugal fans blow air into the enclosed space, providing an air cushion that lifts up to 80% of the vessel weight.
In fact, the vessel can be lifted up and down approximately two meters, which means it is able to cancel up to the same height of vessel motion in waves. This is especially effective in long waves/swell, where all other vessel types will float and follow the wave surface.
The remaining 20% of the vessel’s weight is supported by side hull buoyancy which allows for high vessel speed because frictional resistance is decreased.
The Tern is equipped with a computer controlled active motion damping system which reduces vertical motions both at high and low vessel speeds reducing seasickness.
As the lift fans supply air to the air cushion, the control system actively controls vent valves that either ventilate the air cushion to a low pressure or closes the valves so that the air cushion pressure is increased.
SeaRobotics Corporation (SeaRobotics) has delivered the USV 2.5, an autonomous 2.5 meter unmanned surface vehicle (USV) to the Center for Marine Science and Technology at North Carolina State University. The USV, built by SeaRobotics, was funded by an award from the National Science Foundation’s Marine Lab Facilities Program. Given the diverse capabilities of the USV, it will be utilized as both an experiential-based teaching tool and to conduct basic and applied research in lake, river, estuary and costal environments.
The USV 2.5 is equipped with an extensive suite of scientific instrumentation that will provide users with a wide variety of data. This instrumentation includes side-scanning and bathymetric sonars, a high-frequency sub-bottom seismic system, an acoustic Doppler current profiler, and sensors that record the temperature and conductivity of the waters being surveyed. In addition, the USV 2.5 measures the concentration of Chlorophyll-a and dissolved organic matter in surface waters.
This system leverages SeaRobotics’ extensive expertise and history delivering USVs for high precision bathymetry, water quality analysis, hydrographic survey, and many other applications. The USV was delivered with a fully integrated Edgetech 6205 multi-beam echo-sounder, motion reference unit, dual antenna RTK GPS, sound velocity probe, and HYPACK software.
“For a 2.5 meter USV, the system offers a broad range instrumentation, with the flexibility to swap sensing payloads based on the demands of the mission,” stated Don Darling, President of SeaRobotics Corporation.
“The USV will be used for seabed and water column mapping critical to an improved understanding of various marine and aquatic processes, including ecosystems dynamics, water quality, and shoreline stability,” stated Del Bohnenstiehl, principal investigator on the NSF project. Del Bohnenstiehl further stated, “The interdisciplinary toolkit provided by this platform is unique within the academic community and additional commercial off-the-shelf sensors, including water-samplers, spectrometers and passive acoustic arrays can be integrated as needed.”
Damen Shipyards Group has announced its latest concept design: the Damen Decommissioning Series. The vessel will specialise in three core areas of the oil and gas decommissioning sector: topside decommissioning offshore platform removal, and subsea cleaning and removal. The design is based on in-house research carried out at Damen by one of its undergraduate interns.
By inviting a considerable number of internships at its yards, Damen Shipyards Group contributes significantly to the maritime education system. One recent position was offered to Justin Rietveld, studying Maritime Technology at the Rotterdam Mainport University of Applied Sciences. His brief was to investigate the potential niche markets for new vessel designs in the oil and gas decommissioning sector.
“This research started off with the idea of developing a decommissioning vessel based on Damen’s existing portfolio,” informs Mr Rietveld. “However, we soon found out that this market needs more.
“For example, there are many different activities within the decommissioning sector. This vessel can support a vast number of those. We have developed a concept to cover the bigger part of this new and exciting market.”
The vessel’s monohull design has a split stern; a characteristic that will come into play during platform removal operations, explains Mr Rietveld: “This ship will be able to reverse up to a jacket, where it will be ballasted to sink below the platform. Upon deballasting, the vessel will rise up to pick up the platform.”
The preliminary estimations of the vessel’s capabilities show that it will be able to perform decommissioning of fixed platforms of up to 1,600 tons in weight. This figure signifies a significant amount of global fixed platforms, and over half of those located in the North Sea.
In order to deliver maximum flexibility to clients, the concept design includes modular add-ons. This will address the possibility that such a vessel will not be solely active in the decommissioning market. This versatility will ensure that owners can optimise productivity: bridging the potential gap between decommissioning contracts with other roles.
These modular additions to the existing design include the (temporary) installation of a crane or a helideck. Functionality can be further boosted with the addition of accommodation modules to increase personnel capacity. Another option will be the addition of a temporary platform to create a solid stern. The subsequent increase in deck capacity could be used for transporting and installing monopiles and foundations for the offshore wind industry.
Speaking about the results of the research, Damen Manager Design & Proposal Offshore & Transport Lucas Zaat comments: “We initiated this project because we felt that we can make a difference in this sector – and it has certainly generated some significant ideas. The decommissioning market is close to our current activities. We are therefore planning to continue with this project and assign specialised personnel to implement it.”
Damen Shipyards has broad market focus on the decommissioning market. Next to current assets such as pontoons also the state of the art Walk-2-Work vessel currently being built for Bibby Marine could play a role in the decommissioning market. In the light of these developments, Damen has recently joined DECOM UK to further expand its market knowledge and validate developments with key stakeholders in the European decommissioning market
Lerwick Port Authority have inaugurated a new Vessel Monitoring System (VMS) which utilizes the latest technology to improve the handling of ship movements at the busy Shetland port.
Transas, a world-leader in providing harmonized integrated solutions to the maritime industry, has installed the system across four sites covering the port area – port control in the main building and three remote stations, at Rova Head north of Lerwick and Maryfield and Kirkabister, on the island of Bressay, monitoring the northern approaches, inner harbor and southern approaches, respectively. Fibre and microwave links supply data back to port control.
Lerwick Harbour’s port control room and the newly installed Vessel Monitoring System, with Deputy Harbourmaster Alexander Simpson (left) and Port Controller Douglas Garrick (right). Credit: John Coutts.
The completion is being marked today (Friday 19 August, 2016), with invitations extended to port users to view the new system.
The modernizing VMS project, including the Transas contract, telecommunications and civil works, cost £450,000.
The Port Authority’s Deputy Harbourmaster, Captain Alexander Simpson, said: “The VMS is already a great asset for Port Control in handling shipping movements and providing navigational assistance. It combines data from multiple sensors in very user-friendly vector chart operator display units, extends Port Control’s VHF radio range, displays weather information and linked cameras deliver CCTV coverage – all enhancing the efficiency and safety of operations.
“The investment in the VMS is just one of several projects expanding the port’s infrastructure at a time when we are welcoming larger vessels – for example, the biggest cruise ship yet at Lerwick arrived this week.”
The new VMS is based on the high-end Navi-Harbour software solution from Transas. Hardware equipment scope consists of Class A AIS Transponders, Northrop Grumman Sperry Marine Vision Master radars, a Jotron VHF Communication System, Gill Meteorological sensors, general IT hardware platform and an APC Power Backup System.
“The Transas Ship Traffic Control solutions installed at Lerwick Harbour will provide tools for coordinated approach to maritime traffic control, monitoring and decision support which is vital in the era of rapid digital transformation,” comments Frank Coles, Transas CEO.
As part of a wider project to refurbish the Authority’s office in Albert Building, the port control room in Albert Building has been completely renovated, including a new server room. Transas closely collaborated with the Authority to design a new layout for the service within the building and contracted local support from H Williamson & Sons for installation and ongoing maintenance.
As part of its comprehensive customer support program, Transas also provided the Authority with an Operator Training Course and Maintenance Service Plan.
Conversion of the ground floor of Albert Building to a new reception and offices is underway, for completion by year-end as part of the phased refurbishment program.
Lerwick is “Britain’s Top Port”, the most northerly commercial harbour in the country, handling more than 10,000 vessel movements in-and-out of the port annually, plus numerous movements within the harbour, and servicing a range of industries, along with the Shetland community. It is a leading centre for the fishing sector; for the offshore oil and gas industry in the Northern North Sea and North-Eastern Atlantic; Shetland’s lifeline ferry port to the Scottish mainland and a popular-port-of-call for cruise ships. Lerwick is a Trust Port, with the Authority responsible for management, maintenance and regulation, with all profits reinvested in the harbour.
Transas’ vision is to lead the way in creating an ecosystem of harmonised integrated solutions in safety, navigation and ship operations. In creating these solutions Transas unites global maritime stakeholders in the future of e-Navigation and operations.
True to its vision, Transas has introduced THESIS, the Transas Harmonized Eco System of Integrated Solutions. THESIS is a flexible data resource where Ship, Fleet Operations, Academy (simulation & training) and Ship Traffic Control can all be connected to the ecosystem, effectively a community working together on a cloud based shared data platform to enable smarter operations, safety and navigation. United into a single environment, navigation, simulation, vessel traffic, and fleet management systems become a decision support tool using the data provided by Transas software solutions. Transas operates more than 20 own regional offices and has a global network of partners around the world.
ABB has launched a new arctic course for deck officers in response to strong demand from the ice-going vessel segment. The course has been developed in cooperation with customers and will provide deep understanding of the operational principles of diesel-electric Azipod vessels, taking into account vessel safety, environmental and economical requirements and operational efficiency and maintenance needs when operating in arctic conditions.
“Demand from the ice going segment for ABB’s solutions has been strong for some time,” said Juha Koskela, Managing Director of ABB’s Marine and Ports business unit. “By combining ABB’s expertise with the needs of the customer, we have set a new benchmark for arctic training.”
Juha Koskela, Managing Director, ABB Marine and Ports
The course will build on the company’s long history of working with ice class vessels, ABB delivered the first electric propulsion system to an icebreaker in 1939. Azipod propulsion has also gained a strong foothold in the segment and has recently expanded its reach to ice class passenger vessels.
The 5-day course is held in cooperation with Aboa Mare training center in Turku, Finland. Training consists of discussions, lessons and full mission bridge simulator exercises. Topics of the lessons vary from Azipod vessel operation and propulsion system behavior in all conditions to resource management and bridge communication. After the course the crew will be able to fully utilize the flexibility of the propulsion system, identify potential malfunctions of the propulsion system and cope with them without sacrificing vessel safety. The new course will complement the portfolio of 35 different courses offered by the Marine Academy.
Captain Takashi Saito, Marine Manager from MOL LNG Transport took the new course and said, “The training was way beyond my expectations. We look forward to sending other seafarers to expand their knowledge of polar conditions.”
Micael Vuorio, Training Manager at Aboa Mare said “We are pleased to continue our cooperation with ABB on designing the best courses available at the market. Aboa Mare provides a diversified training portfolio, including training according to the Polar Code, as well as training for Baltic ice conditions and this expertise is also included in to ABB´s new training course.”
Protea is already well known globally for delivering high quality offshore and marine lifting and mechanical handling equipment including cranes, winches and launch and recovery systems – well heavy lift cargo cranes is about to get the same treatment!
With its extensive knowledge of handling operations and in-house design capabilities, Protea is fully committed to developing new products and solutions that provide its customers with ‘State of the Art’, cost effective and efficient equipment which add value to their operational requirements and ultimately the bottom line!
Image courtesy: Protea
Currently Protea engineers are developing an ‘all new’ cargo crane that will set new standards in heavy lift cargo crane technology and performance. The ‘all electric’ crane is constructed from ultra high strength steel and will be available in a range of sizes from 60t to 500t (even higher upon client request).
“The combination of high strength steel and the electric drive system allows our customers to benefit from significant improvements in operational efficiency” highlighted Graham Manning, Protea Global Sales Manager. “Firstly, the weight savings of up to the 40% when compared with standard cargo cranes translate directly into increased vessel cargo carrying capacity. Secondly, the environmental benefits of the ‘all electric’ drive system with VFD not only improves cargo handling times it reduces energy consumption by around 20% and thirdly by being ‘all electric’ it eliminates hydraulic oil and therefore the possibility of oil leaks!
Combined with a host of other innovative design features such as a reduction in minimum crane radius to give increased deck space, panoramic cabin design for improved operator visibility and reduced maintenance activities, the new crane is expected to provide a ‘Step Change’ in heavy lift cargo crane design.
Protea is planning to test the first unit at its ‘World Class’ manufacturing and testing facilities in Southern Poland next year. A full update of the crane development programme will be available at CIPPE 2016 in Shanghai from 23rd – 25th August (Hall W1, Stand W1376), ONS 2016 in Stavanger from 29th Aug to 1st Sept (Stand 446, hall 4), SMM 2016 in Hamburg (Stand 108, Hall B6) from Sept 6th to Sept 9th and Offshore Marintec Russia in St Petersburg (Hall H) from 4th – 7th October.
Graham also commented that “We are looking to discussing this game changing crane, capturing any feedback and welcoming existing and potentially new customers this Autumn”.
Reflex Marine, a global leader in safe marine access solutions, launches its’ latest innovation, WAVE-4.
The company’s dedication to safety and innovation over the last 20 years’ has led to the improvement of safety standards for personnel transfers across the globe. Now Reflex Marine are adding a new device to their range to meet the needs of their diverse client base.
WAVE-4 captures over 20 years of learning, experience and feedback from the industry. This new personnel carrier for standing passengers offers fall prevention, impact protection and has floating and self-righting capabilities.
Photo courtesy of Seaway Heavy Lifting’
James Strong, Project Manager, said: ‘Every year millions of passengers are safely transferred using Reflex Marine carriers. We are committed to increasing this number and ensuring all workers are transferred safely and efficiently whilst working offshore. The company’s aim, with WAVE-4, is to provide the highest level of protection and performance for any standing transfer carrier on the market.’
‘With extensive passenger protection and the smallest footprint of any rigid transfer carrier on the market, WAVE-4 offers clients a convenient, cost-efficient and safe way to move their crew.’
All Reflex Marine carriers are subject to the most rigorous testing of any personnel transfer carrier in the industry. Testing and verification ensures passengers are protected from the 4 key risks of personnel transfer by crane, falling, heavy landings, side impacts and immersion.
The company put considerable focus into improving the ownership experience, making the product more durable and simplifying inspection and maintenance. High costs and significant product downtime was common feedback from owners of existing standing transfer devices.
Reflex Marine clients can now benefit from a full range of transfer solutions for different sea states, crew volumes and preferences. Clients continue to be supported globally by the company’s network of approved partners.
There will be a WAVE-4 product demonstration in Great Yarmouth, UK, on 3rd August, for more information click here.
Allseas’ dynamically positioned single-lift installation/decommissioning and pipelay vessel “Pioneering Spirit” successfully executed her maiden heavy lift project, removal of the 13,500 t Yme mobile offshore production unit (MOPU) in the North Sea, 100 km off the coast of Norway, on 22 August 2016 for Repsol Norge AS.
Photo credit: Allseas
The Yme MOPU is a jack-up type platform standing on three steel legs of 3.5 m diameter, which are inserted approximately 10 m inside the subsea storage tank columns at 93 m water depth.
With this platform removal, Allseas was able to demonstrate the unique single-lift capabilities of “Pioneering Spirit”.
The platform has since been sea-fastened on board and the vessel is currently on her way to the newly developed dismantling yard in Lutelandet, Norway.
Meeting all requirements regarding quality, safety and the environment, Damen Shipyards Antalya has secured comprehensive ISO 9001, ISO 14001 and OHSAS 18001 certification. This achievement coincides with a period of rapid expansion that has seen the addition of three new production halls within the space of two years.
“These certifications confirm the quality of our production processes,” comments Damen Shipyards Antalya Managing Director Auke van der Zee. “They also show our commitment to safe and clean working practices. It is this dedication to quality that our customers expect from Damen.”
Photo courtesy: Damen Shipyards
Moreover, the yard attained these valuable endorsements of quality within a period of six months; the shortest amount of time a company in Turkey has achieved this.
Damen Shipyards Antalya opened in 2013 after the purchase of the Cyrus yard by Damen Shipyards Group. Since then the yard has continued to develop and build vessels up to 35 meters in length. Despite being best known for specialising in composite vessel construction, Damen Shipyards Antalya added steel and aluminium vessel fabrication to its list of capabilities last year with the addition of two new production halls. Production subsequently increased: the three sites delivered 54 ships in 2015 (an increase of more than 20 compared to the previous year).
Importantly, this rise in production was accompanied by an increasing number of vessel types under production. “The diversity of vessels that we build here is shown best by the fact that there are currently seven different types of ships in the water here,” highlights Van der Zee.
These vessels include Damen’s Stan Pilot 1505, Stan Pilot 1605, Stan Patrol 1605, Interceptor 1503, Interceptor 1102, Fast Crew Supplier 5009 and the Search and Rescue Vessel 1906. Furthermore, the yard is also equipped to build various examples from Damen’s Public Transport range.
The yard’s expansion continued this year too with the inauguration of a fourth production hall. "With this new building location, we have further expanded our capacity for steel and aluminium vessel construction,” says Van der Zee. “We can now build an even wider range of vessels, including larger ferries and Fast Yacht Support vessels.
“If you look at how much we have achieved in such a short time, I'm very curious to see what we will accomplish over the next three and a half years.”
Whittaker Engineering, an independent Engineering, Procurement and Construction (EPC) company, has developed a unique water-backed welding procedure for vessels which can save companies millions of pounds from the prevention of dry docking and resultant loss of production.
Traditional welding specifications used for the design and manufacture of FPUs (Floating Production Units) and oil rigs do not take into account the cooling effects of seawater. Whittaker Engineering’s procedure uses high-powered induction heating coils to maintain a preheat temperature whilst welding water-backed plate, mitigating the heat loss through a ship’s hull into the cold temperature of the sea. It was successfully deployed by EnQuest on the Northern Producer FPU during routine work.
Photo courtesy: Whittaker Engineering
Greig Ritchie, Operations Manager for the Northern Producer, said: “This is a truly noteworthy welding development that has helped EnQuest carry out work in the most efficient way. The procedure enables in-situ modifications and repairs and avoids unnecessary and inefficient dry dock periods. It has significant potential for operators of vessels both in the North Sea and elsewhere.”
The resultant weld with the induction heater is ductile, low in hardness and has proved as high in quality as if it was performed without water around it. The same technique can be applied to corrosion and pitting in the hull. Whittaker believes it is the only company in the world currently offering this procedure with full Lloyd’s Register classification.
Induction heating involves huge currents surging backwards and forwards through induction coils to generate high temperatures. Cooling water and electricity flows through the coils from the power supply on deck and routed to where the welding is carried out. The power supply for the inductors has a maximum range of 75 metres from the power source on deck to the welding repair area.
The presence of seawater on the outside of a hull structure greatly increases the rate of cooling of weld metal. Fast cooling rates can produce hard martensitic structures in basic carbon steels which in turn can lead to cracking. Furthermore, the cold seawater encourages condensation at the weld site, which further increases the risk of hydrogen cracking. Conventional ceramic electric heating pads do not supply sufficient heat (typically a maximum of 30°C is reached) to combat the cooling effect of the seawater.
However, with a sufficiently powerful induction heater, Whittaker can achieve a constant preheat of 75°C to 100°C with seawater at 5°C (typical North Sea temperature).
Ken Whittaker of Whittaker Engineering said: “Many oil and gas vessels are expected to be at sea for 15 years or more. By carrying out the work offshore, we can potentially save companies millions of pounds by avoiding dry docking and loss of production through downtime. This is our fourth deployment and each one has been successful. Independent testing has also proved that our water-backed weld with induction heating is at least as strong and reliable as those carried out in a shipyard in the dry.”
Completion of the first phases of an £11.95 million quay extension at Lerwick Harbour’s deep-water Dales Voe Base has facilitated mobilization of a large offshore construction vessel ahead of a contract offshore Canada.
Subsea 7’s Seven Waves. Photo credit: John Coutts
Subsea 7’s 18,666 gross ton, 146-meter long Seven Waves berthed earlier this week, the day after handover of the second phase of the quay to Lerwick Port Authority. Last week, the completed phase one was used for the first time, with the coaster Eendracht delivering kit for transfer to the construction vessel. Subsea 7 is a leading global contractor in seabed-to-surface engineering, construction and services to the offshore energy industry.
Captain Calum Grains, Lerwick Port Authority’s Harbormaster and Deputy Chief Executive, said: “Seven Waves is an early harbinger of the type of work which the expanded Dales Voe Base, with its enormous capacity, quay strength, water depth and laydown space, is ideally suited for in supporting a wide range of offshore industry projects.
“Remaining infrastructure works are soon to be completed and the principal contractor, BAM Nuttall has delivered an excellent quality asset to the port.”
With the quay being extended by 75-meters to 130 meters, BAM Nuttall is expected to hand over the final phase three section around end-July.
Complementary works at the base, including reclamation, laydown yard and demolition of a redundant building, will continue until the autumn with local contractor, FL Johnston.
The Shetland port is a long-established and leading centre of support for the offshore industry in the northern North Sea and in the Atlantic to the west, including subsea development projects and decommissioning.
The U.S. Coast Guard has certified Danos’ fabrication facility in Amelia, La. as an official port facility. This designation allows both foreign and US vessels to access the facility or remain docked there.
The Coast Guard granted Danos port facility status following approval of the company’s facility security plan under Title 33 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) Part 105.
“In addition to opening our Amelia facility up to foreign vessels for transporting fabrication projects, port facility status also allows us to provide docking services for idle vessels,” said Mark Danos, vice president of project services.
Located on 175 acres along Bayou Boeuf, the facility’s five thousand linear feet of bulkhead and 18-foot water depth can accommodate large-scale custom fabrication projects of more than 1,000 tons.
Inmarsat (LSE:ISAT.L), a leading provider of global mobile satellite communications, announces at Nor-Fishing 2016 that Fleet Xpress is being extended in Northern Europe, demonstrating a new market-specific commitment for the high-speed broadband service, powered by Global Xpress, that is revolutionizing maritime connectivity.
Launched at the end of March 2016, Inmarsat Maritime’s Fleet Xpress service sets a new standard in broadband maritime communications. It achieves the highest levels of reliable high speed connectivity and exceptional performance across the world’s oceans, as well as facilitating innovative applications to enhance safety, crew welfare and operational efficiency. The extension of Fleet Xpress will reach across the North Sea, Norwegian Sea, Barents Sea and Baltic Sea.
“We prioritized this region as a focus for region-specific roll-out after listening to the needs of our customers,” says Ronald Spithout, President Inmarsat Maritime. “We can now address the specific requirements of the large number of fishing and offshore support vessels in the region with segment specific plans. The new plans will enable fishing companies to realize the power of ‘big data’ and to take advantage of revolutionary new applications that together will maximize vessel performance and help save operational cost. We have a number of fishing vessels in the region, such as the MS Smaragd, that are currently migrating from XpressLink, Inmarsat’s Ku-band service to Fleet Xpress, and will be able to benefit from higher speeds and higher capacity in the region.”
“We also realize there are a great deal of offshore support vessels based in the region with a need to transfer real-time operational data to the oil majors back ashore to help drive efficiencies and save costs.”
Reliable connectivity will also address welfare issue for crews. Commercial fishing crews have a close affinity with mobile technology – on average bringing three devices each on board*. In offshore, the presence or lack of internet often determines crew retention rates.
“Fleet Xpress allows seafarers easy and reliable connectivity,” says Mr. Spithout. “For mariners working in some of the most demanding conditions at sea, links to friends and family are vital, while Internet access alleviates boredom during downtime.”
Fleet Xpress roll-out is proving to be “a game changer for every market we engage with”, Mr. Spithout says. The combination of high-speed connectivity and new capacity, together with applications to support crew welfare and safety, we truly are taking maritime communications to the next level. We are delighted to announce extended coverage of Fleet Xpress across Northern Europe on the first day of Nor-Fishing 2016.”
The new segment specific plans will be announced in Q4 2016.
Fleet Xpress is the maritime service powered by the Global Xpress network – based on Inmarsat’s I-5 generation satellites and the FleetBroadband I-4 satellites. Inmarsat has already announced plans for further Ka-band and L-band service enhancements, after contracting with Airbus at the end of 2015 to build the first two satellites in its sixth-generation I-6 fleet.
Fleet Xpress delivers a unique, fully integrated dual capability of high speed, high capacity services (Global Xpress) together with high reliability safety-level services (FleetBroadband) in a single commercial package which is available across the globe. Fleet Xpress is further enriched by Inmarsat Gateway, a unique service enablement platform designed to provide ship owners, managers and operators with access to a new generation of value-added maritime applications, services and solutions.
Fleet Xpress will be taken to market through Inmarsat’s powerful and committed direct and indirect sales channels. Over 7,500 vessels have already committed to the Fleet Xpress service to date.
Damen Shipbuilding Group is establishing a permanent presence in Houston, Texas. The office opened on 1st August and will be headed by senior managers Jan van Hogerwou (New Construction) and Ruud Haneveer (Ship Repair & Conversion). This move is part of Damen’s policy of expanding its local footprint around the world, bringing it closer to current and prospective clients and enabling it to deliver a more responsive and personal service.
The first order to be handled by the new entity is for four new Damen 3711 Stan Tugs by Young Brothers, Limited, Hawaii’s largest inter-island cargo service provider. Young Brothers is a Saltchuk company operated by Foss Maritime. The tugs will be built at Conrad Shipyard, Louisiana, under a license and materials agreement with Damen. The first vessel will be delivered in the first quarter of 2018 and the last twelve months later. Together the 37-meter, 6,000 hp tugs will service Young Brothers’ fleet of modern, high-capacity tugs & barges.
“Opening a permanent Damen presence in North America is a significant milestone for the group,” said Jan van Hogerwou. “With over 200 Damen design vessels built and delivered in the US, this has been an important market for our vessels for many years via our flexible licensing agreements, and we have enjoyed excellent cooperation with shipyards across the country. This latest initiative will enable us to strengthen our relationships further with both builders and operators, and serve the North American market with the innovative, cost-effective and dependable vessels that it seeks.”
The choice of Houston as the location of the new office is also intended to send a message to the offshore oil & gas sector in North America. That is, that Damen is committed to supporting and working with vessel owners and operators to maximise efficiencies and minimise costs, despite the current downturn. It will support Damen’s work with shipyards and owners right across the maritime sector and Damen’s product range.
MacArtney has supplied a total of four winch systems, all featuring active heave compensation (AHC) allowing Canyon to launch, operate and recover their ROVs under rough sea conditions.
With a global track record spanning two decades and a fleet of several purpose-built offshore support and construction vessels carrying cutting-edge ROV, geotechnical and trenching systems, Canyon Offshore has established itself as a leading supplier of subsea intervention, construction and engineering services.
The ‘Grand Canyon’ is designed to perform a broad range of subsea operations, with DP3-class station keeping for work in severe weather conditions. Grand Canyon features a 250 t heave compensated crane, facilities to launch up to five ROVs simultaneously, and a below-deck carousel lay system for installation of power cables, umbilicals, or tubular products.
The ‘Grand Canyon’ vessel range comprises three identical ships (Grand Canyon I, II and III) delivered between 2012 and 2016. All the ‘Grand Canyon’ vessels are delivered with the latest technology and powerful systems in order to maximise performance, flexibility and (cost) efficiency. The vessels are able to perform a broad range of subsea operations with high manoeuvrability and DP3-class station keeping for enabling work in severe weather conditions. All ‘Grand Canyon’ vessels will feature a 250 t heave compensated crane, as well as dual ROV systems.
Installed inside the port and starboard hangars of the Grand Canyon II and III, each of the MacArtney MERMAC R40 winches will be utilised to deploy two ea. 3000 metre rated work class ROV systems which form the backbone of the subsea intervention toolkit of each vessel. Enabled by an integrated AHC system, the winches are able to actively filter out the effects of vessel motion (heave, pitch and roll) hereby allowing Canyon to expand its window of ROV operation and substantially reduce weather related downtime.
“MacArtney always aims to be more than just a vendor, says MacArtney Inc. President, Lars Hansen, and continues: We proactively strive to support our customers all the way - from project draft to delivery and beyond. Downtime definitively costs more than ever and in the light of the challenging circumstances which our industry must currently navigate, working together to maintain a strong focus on system durability and service life through dynamic after-sales support is an absolute prerequisite to success.“
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