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ARCTIC OPERATIONS speci? cations and U.S. Coast Guard requirements ahead aft. Both the X-BOW and the X-STERN are patented and of bidding by quali? ed American yards. have won several marine industry awards worldwide.

The SX195 is 93 meters in length, with a beam or 18 In latter years the X-BOW was introduced on 41 ves- meters. It weighs 3,200 tons with a maximum draught of sels for the offshore renewables industry and for expedition 6.0 meters and a maximum speed of 13 knots. It will ac- cruise including the Lindblad Expeditions / National Geo- commodate 80 to 120, including crew and technicians, graphic expedition cruise vessel, the National Geographic because of its unusual massive bow. Endurance. Ulstein Verft, Norway is constructing the ves- “The project starts with customizing the SX195 design, to sel due to launch in 2020. optimize the new walk-to-work vessel for operations in U.S. offshore wind farms, including featuring the patented X-BOW IN THE ARCTIC and X-STERN hull shape,” Ulstein said in a press release. The Endurance was named in honor of polar explorer “The X-BOW was developed during 2003-2004 – one Ernest Shackleton’s ship. It is designed to navigate polar of the latest tough periods for the offshore industry - and passages year-round while providing exceptional comfort. revealed in 2005, together with the contract for the ? rst It will safely explore uncharted waters and new latitudes, vessel, ‘Bourbon Orca’, an anchor handling tug supply including Northeast Greenland, remote Jan Mayen Island, vessel for Bourbon Offshore Norway,” said Ulstein Group the Northeast Passage, and more, according to National

CEO Gunvor Ulstein. Geographic. The Endurance accommodates 126 guests

The beginnings for this bow design can be traced to the in 69 spacious cabins—all of which face outside and have late 1990s and the collaboration between Damen Shipyard, large windows or balconies, private bathrooms, individual a commercial and military vessels builder, and the faculty of climate control and an expedition command center.

Delft University of Technology, the U.S Coast Guard and Miami-based SunStone Ships and China Merchants In- the Maritime Research Institute Netherlands (MARIN). dustry Holdings have also signed a framework agreement to

This design was speci? cally developed to improve the build four expedition ships with options for six more with sea keeping at high speed and ensuring 100 percent oper- the X-BOW. The 104-meter vessels will be constructed by ability in the North Sea at 50 knots with a 50 (164’) meter China Merchants Heavy Industry (Jiangsu) Co., Ltd. near patrol boat, according to Jaap Gelling, Product Director Shanghai, with the design, equipment and management of Damen. In 2016 the X-STERN was introduced. This supplied by Norway’s Ulstein Design & Solutions.

aft design element is a natural evolvement of the X-BOW, The ships will hold 80 to 95 passenger cabins and be and allows computer assisted bridge operation fore and rated Ice Class 1A or Polar Code 6. The ? rst delivery will

The Aeolus ? eet will include, from L to R in this artists image, a crew transfer vessel, a cable laying vessel and a ? oating hotel.

Credit: Illo by Ulstein

April 2019 30 MN