Page 8: of Marine Technology Magazine (September 2010)

8 MTR September 2010 news

Oceanic Vega was named and delivered on

July 2. The vessel is owned through a joint venture between shipowner, Eidesvik, and the geophysical company, CGGVeritas. “We are proud to deliver one of the most modern and advanced seismic research vessels in the world,” said managing director at Ulstein

Verft, Karsten Sævik. “Oceanic Vega meets strict environmental standards,” said Jan

Fredrik Meling, CEO at Eidesvik Offshore. “Equipped with state-of-the-art technology, the ship reduces harmful atmospheric emis- sions and prevents oil discharge through its double hull construction. We are very satis- fied with the X-BOW vessel Viking Poseidon delivered by Ulstein in January. The ship operates smoothly with minimal vibrations and movements. This grants optimal vessel comfort, which is very important for the working conditions of our seafarers."

The Oceanic Vega is the first of two vessels of the SX120 type, designed by Ulstein

Design & Solutions. It is a powerful seismic research vessel with a towing force of 140 tons during seismic operations. The vessel is suited to the acquisition of large 3D, 4D or high-resolution projects, utilizing a current streamer configuration of up 16 streamers separated by 100 m or more. The vessel´s 20 streamer winches are each capable of spool- ing 9 km of streamers.

Carrying an ICE-C classification, the

Oceanic Vega is able to operate in cold waters. The vessel is designed to stay perma- nently at sea, with five years´ docking inter- vals, and complies with the redundant propulsion notation from DNV. Oceanic

Vega complies with the Clean Design demands from DNV, and with the SPS requirements for up to 60 persons. There are 52 single cabins and only nine double cab- ins. The mess room, galley and the four day- rooms have large windows facing the sea to add comfort for the crew. The vessel is equipped with a helideck to facilitate an effi- cient crew change. The X-BOW results in lower added resistance and smoother bow immergence. This leads to reduced opera- tional disturbances or involuntary speed reduction.

Ulstein Delivers Seismic RV

Bluefin To Expand

Bluefin Robotics has begun work on build- ing a 54,000-sq. ft. facility in the Quincy

Shipyard, with a plan to relocate there in the fall, focusing on AUV development, produc- tion and testing.

Bluefin’s move to

Quincy doubles the high-tech company’s space, and for the first time, merges operations under one roof. The new location provides the

Cambridge-based firm with direct access to the ocean for marine operations, which is currently conducted in

East Boston. The move will co-locate engineering, produc- tion and marine opera- tions functions, streamlining testing and demonstration phases of the busi- ness. The landlord is

Quincy Shipyard, LLC, an affiliate of Jay

Cashman, Inc.

Sub-Atlantic Wins

ROV Contract

Singapore diving con- tractor Seatrax

Singapore Pte Ltd. contracted with Sub-

Atlantic Asia Pacific to strengthen its subsea services capability with their first electric work class ROV - the

Comanche. (Photo cour tesy T ony Hall)