Seacraft Delivers RV Hercules

Seacraft Shipyard Corporation delivered the 120-ft. all aluminum Research Vessel Hercules to its owners in Key West, Fla. The custom-built vessel was designed to work in the Mediterranean Sea, for underwater archeology research. Seacraft designed the vessel in-house. with conveniences and comforts a previously unheard of in research vessels. The vessel can carry 14 passengers and a crew of five for an extended expedition. The vessel is configured into three levels including: the pilothouse.

main deck, and lower deck.

The pilothouse contains equipment such as: two VHF Radio Telephones, Autopilot, two Simrad Radar units, Furuno Inmarsat unit, Furuno Inmarsat - C unit, Furuno Single Side Band Radio, Furuno Navtex, Furuno Echo Sounder, a Raymarine Loudhailer, Simrad Shipmate, Gyro Compass, and a 27-in.

Sony Color Television with a Pro Video camera system through out the vessel allowing the captain to monitor all major activities. Also in the pilothouse are the controls for the Dynamic Positioning System or DP system. The vessel is equipped with two drop down azimuth thrusters provided by Thrustmaster of Texas, which are controlled by the Global Positioning system on board.

With the DP system the vessel can hold itself on location with a 3-ft. area of the length and width of the vessel in sea conditions up to sea state 2. The interior decor of the pilothouse is of black FRP panels on the walls, with black plastic laminate on the countertops. and grey rubber non-slip flooring. The entire pilothouse is trimmed with South American Cedar molding sanded and finished to the owners specifications.

Traveling down to the main deck cabin is the salon, computer room, complete galley, and dining area. The salon area is designed for 14 people to relax and enjoy the entertainment center, which consist of a 32-in. Sony Color television, and DVD/VHS player. The salon can is also used as a meeting room or classroom if the need arises. Aft of the salon is the computer room which allows up to six to work at one time. The computer room is used as a control station for operation of equipment while diving, and other operations are taking place.

Aft of the computer room is the galley complete with a stove, microwave, refrigerator, garbage compactor, and dishwasher. Also, the galley has all stainless steel countertops and backsplashes, and all aluminum cabinets with positive locking devices to prevent them from opening while at sea.

Opposite of the galley is the dining area.

The dining area is large enough to seat eight people to enjoy a meal or to just talk about the day's activities on board.

The lower main cabin decor consist of white FRP walls and ceilings and grey non-slip flooring. The entire main cabin is trimmed with South American Cedar molding sanded and finished to the owners specifications. In the engine room there are two Caterpillar 3412 engines producing 900 hp @ 800 rpm, which provide main propulsion for the vessel; and one Caterpillar 3406 used to supply power the forward and aft thrusters. The aft azimuth thruster is also located in the engine room.

Circle 4 7 on Reader Service Card

Maritime Reporter Magazine, page 36, Nov 2004

Read Seacraft Delivers RV Hercules in Pdf, Flash or Html5 edition of November 2004 Maritime Reporter

Other stories from November 2004 issue

Content

Maritime Reporter

First published in 1881 Maritime Reporter is the world's largest audited circulation publication serving the global maritime industry.