Page 8: of Marine Technology Magazine (June 2011)

110-ft. RV for Marine Surveying 8 MTR June 2011 news

Alpine Ocean Seismic Survey, a provider of marine surveying and data collection services, launched the multi-use research vessel, the R/V

Shearwater. With the addition,

Alpine can expand its offerings of turnkey data collection and other surveying services to offshore clients, including wind, tidal, civil engineer- ing, shoreline protection, submarine cable, pipeline, oil, and natural gas project developers. “The Shearwater is a state-of-the- art, multipurpose platform with fan- tastic maneuverability, and that means it’s a great choice for both off- shore and near-shore projects,” said

Robert Mecarini, executive vice pres- ident, Alpine Ocean Seismic Survey. “The flexibility means our customers can get a lot value for their money – we can deploy a variety of specialized equipment, collect data, and process it quickly right on board.”

The shallow draft (6.5 ft.) 110 x 40 ft. aluminum twin hull Shearwater has numerous advantages for offshore work. Its superior positioning and line-keeping performance provides the essential components for both research work and transfer and supply services to development sites and working installations. The hydraulic propulsion system results in impres- sive fuel-efficiency and excellent maneuverability while reducing vessel noise.

The Shearwater also features two equipment moon pools, a crane, hydraulic stern A-frame, fixed star- board A-frame, dedicated equipment winches, laboratory and office space with onboard data processing capabil- ities, and can accommodate up to 20 people on a 24-hour basis.

Since its March commissioning, the vessel has completed several proj- ects on the Gulf and East Coasts for clients including the U.S. Army

Corps of Engineers and the NJ

Department of Environmental

Protection. Clients tout the vessel’s unique configuration capabilities, spacious decks and workspaces, and a propulsion system that facilitates high-precision line- and station- keeping.

The R/V Shearwater is equipped with state-of-the art propulsion, lift- ing and lowering equipment, and hull customization that improve underwa- ter data gathering, including: • Hydraulic thruster propulsion with 360-degree rotation capacity • Hydraulic crane with two-ton capacity at 38-ft. boom extension • One-ton hydraulic stern A-frame • Five-ton fixed starboard A-frame • Dedicated equipment-handling winches • Equipment moon pools in port and starboard hulls

Alpine Ocean Seismic Survey launched the multi-use research vessel, the R/V Shearwater.