Page 34: of Marine News Magazine (February 2013)

Rapp Hydema has been supplying deck machinery to research vessels since 1977, but this global market recently became especially signiÞ cant for the group. In 2002, in what would be a watershed project, Rapp Hydema was chosen to outÞ t the NOAA Fishery Survey Vessel (FSV) Oscar Dyson class of vessels. The Þ rst four ships in the class were being constructed at VT Halter Marine Shipyard. ÒThat NOAA research vessel contract provided us with excellent exposure,Ó said Johann Sigurjonsson, President of Rapp Hydema U.S. Following the construction of the Þ rst vessel in the series, the FSV Oscar Dyson, VT Halter Marine evaluated all key suppliers for the project. ÒWe were the only vendor evaluated to get a rating of ÔexcellentÕ,Ó said Scott R. Atkinson, Vice President of Government Contracts at Rapp. ÒFrom there, we saw a steady increase in interest.Ó Following this Þ rst NOAA vessel, Rapp went on to outÞ t a number of research vessels world-wide, including Þ ve especially signiÞ cant projects in the last few years. These projects include a South African polar icebreaker and research vessel, a Namibian Ministry of Fisheries and Marine Resources vessel, an Australia Commonwealth ScientiÞ c and Research Organization (CSIRO) vessel, an Alaska Regional Research Vessel (ARRV) for University of Alaska-Fairbanks and the Þ fth and latest vessel in the NOAA FRV series, the Reuben Lasker, built by Marinette Marine Shipyard in Wisconsin.. EXPERIENCE : A UNIQUE PERSPECTIVE All this experience leaves Rapp Hydema in a good place to discuss the unique aspects of the research vessel market. To begin with, Sigurjonsson said, Òthe equipment used on research vessels is more high tech. With U.S. government customers in particular, they are looking to take advantage of a rare opportunity to upgrade a vessel and to capture state-of-the-art technology.Ó In other words, government customers are looking for the very latest in deck machinery on the infrequent occasions when new build funding becomes available. The CSIROÕs research vessel, for example, included Active Heave Compensation technology as well as RappÕs patented liquid cooled motor which was recognized as a Spotlight on Technology Award recipient at the Offshore Technology Conference. Two each Independent control systems are also included, including RappÕs newest PTS Pentagon Cbus R for the research winch systems, and PTS Pentagon F version for Þ shery winches. The CSIRO vessel also incorporated electrically-driven, electrically- synchronized level-winding for the winches. Citing another difference in the research market, Atkinson said Òthe supplier has to be more than a one-off manufacturer. Government customers are looking for a provider and integrator that will act as a de facto lobbyist for Rapp Hydema Hauls in the Research Vessel Market Rapp Hydema Hauls in the Research Vessel Market Rapp Hydema Hauls in the Research Vessel Market Rapp Hydema Hauls in the Research Vessel Market By Raina O Clark *All Images courtesy of Rapp HydemaFebruary 2013 34 MNMN Feb2013 Layout 32-42.indd 34MN Feb2013 Layout 32-42.indd 342/1/2013 12:18:27 PM2/1/2013 12:18:27 PM