Page 14: of Marine Technology Magazine (July 2006)

14 MTR July 2006 news

Westplast AS based in Leinøy, Norway, recently delivered to PGS Geophysical a new 9.5-m Seismic Survey boat for world- wide surveying duties. Designed by

Westplast AS and Sundal Engineering AS the GRP hull is designed to provide a smooth and stable ride. The transom has been designed with a recess to incorporate the water jets and engine exhaust system.

Fitted with twin UltraJet 305HT waterjets coupled to Yanmar 340 hp 6LYA-STP engines, the boat achieved 30 knots during

North Sea trials and a bollard pull of 2.6 ton at 3,000 rpm. This is the first of two boats that are being considered by PGS

Geophysical for their new fleet of survey craft. Electronics include a Seiwa Mk III, black box ecosounder 50/200 khz, black box radar and 20-in. screen, Navman 7200

VHF, UHF, Autopilot ComNav 1440 and

Compasspoint G2 GPS system.

The craft has a towing force of 2,600 kg, a cable lifter of 20 kg, a 1,500 kg main winch and a secondary winch on the bow. The

Twin UltraJet 305HT jets produce thrust for a top speed of 30 knots so has the abili- ty to get to survey sites quickly. The UltraJet control system, which is connected to the electronically driven helmsman's seat, gives fingertip control and precise maneuverabili- ty at all speeds.

Main Particulars

Builder . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Westplast AS, Norway.

Designers . . . . . . . . . . .Westplast AS/Sundal Engineering AS

Customer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .PGS Geophysical

Length, o.a. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .31.2 ft. (9.5 m)

Breadth, o.a. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .11.2 ft. (3.4 m)

Depth . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2.3 ft. (0.7m)

Weight . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .7.1 tons

Main ngines . . . . . . . . . . . . .Twin Yanmar 340 hp 6LYA-STP

Waterjets . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Twin Ultrajet 305 HT

Gearbox . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Twin Disc MG5050, ratio 1,53:1.

VHF, UHF . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Navman

Autopilot . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .ComNav 1440

Westplast Seismic Survey Boat

South Africa Claims Vast

Tracts of Sea Floor

South Africa is about to get bigger. The country's borders are likely to be enlarged to include an unclaimed million square km - of ocean floor. In terms of the United

Nations Law of the Sea Convention, South

Africa is in the process of claiming between 300 000 and 1.4-million square km - some 25% to 115% of its current 1.2-million square km of land - of underwater territory off the country's mainland and around the

Prince Edward and Marion group of

Antarctic islands. South Africa's fishing, natural gas, diamond-mining and pharma- ceutical industries are likely to be the first to benefit from the initiative, which is being managed by the Petroleum Agency of South

Africa (Pasa).

Bisso Marine Salvages Survey

Vessel

Bisso Marine completed the salvage of a 480-ton survey vessel that purportedly sank after striking a platform which was toppled following Hurricane Rita. The vessel sank in 148-ft. of water in the South Marsh Island area and was found upside down lying per-

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