Page 12: of Marine Technology Magazine (March 2011)

news 12 MTR March 2011

Naming Ceremony for New Polarcus

Seismic Vessel

Drydocks World announced that the high ice-class seismic vessel Polarcus Alima and Polarcus Samur were named in the presence of key per- sonnel from both organizations and spe- cially invited industry dignitaries at its Dubai shipyard. The two ves- sels are part of a series of six built for

Dubai based geophysi- cal operator Polarcus.

Three vessels belong- ing to the series have been delivered.

Polarcus Alima incor- porates sophisticated seismic technology and is capable of tow- ing 12 streamers, with a 100m lateral separa- tion between stream- ers. It is a 3D/4D seis- mic vessel built to the highly merited Ulstein

SX134 design and

ULSTEIN X-BOW hull.

Keel Laid for

T-AGS 60

VT Halter Marine, Inc. on February 1, 2011, held a keel laying cer- emony for T-AGS 66

USNS Maury, which is currently under con- struction at Halter

Moss Point. In

December 2009, VT

Halter Marine was awarded a contract of approximately $87m to build an enhanced version of the T-AGS 60 Class oceano- graphic survey ship for the U.S. Navy.

Delivery of the vessel is expected in July 2013.

STX Finland Oy and Ministry of Fisheries and Marine Resources of the Republic of

Namibia have signed a contract for the con- struction of a fisheries research vessel. The ship, with a contract value of approximately

EUR 35 million, is scheduled for delivery in spring 2012. This vessel will be approximate- ly 62m long and will provide accommoda- tion for 45 crew members and research per- sonnel. It is specifically designed for the pur- poses of Namibian fisheries research. The vessel meets the latest standards set for this type of vessels requiring, in particular, special care in the design of laboratory equipment, propulsion and power generation system.

The vessel also has very high overall techni- cal standards and special attention has been given to the vessel’s serviceability and low maintenance costs. Furthermore, the ship features a dynamic positioning system and it is operational in any African sea and weather condition in all seasons with no restrictions.

The tasks of the research vessel include monitoring of fish stock, as well as sorting, processing, freezing and storage of fish. The multi-purpose specialized vessel will also be used for collecting biological samples for seabed research and analysis and provide assistance for control of fishing. The vessel also features facilities for meteorological research.

STX Finland Rauma Shipyard

Fisheries Research Vessel Ordered

By Alan Haig-Brown

A recent delivery from the yard of

Eastern Marine Shipbuilding in Sibu, East

Malaysia is a further indication of the growing technical sophistication of the

Sarawak yards. The 60 x 16-m Offshore

Surveyor is designed by Wartsila Ship

Design of Singapore. To do its survey work the Malaysian-registered vessel is fitted with 2.4-sq. m. moon pool as well as a deck crane from Marine Equipment of

Singapore. Main engines are a pair of

Cummins QSK60M diesels generation 2200 HP each at 1800 rpm and turning into Hitachi Nico Model

MCR1727VC(CPP gears) with 7.5:1 ratios.

The controllable pitch propellers are a pair of Berg BCP HDX690. Side thrusters on the dynamic positioning vessel is also

CPP and they are supplied by the Japanese firm Kamome. The steering system is by the Singapore firm Palmarine, model

PEH5202.

To meet the advanced electrical demands of such a vessel the main shafts are fitted with 700 kW Stamford generators. The

Offshore Surveyor, with a 1,672 GRT and a 501 NRT, has tankage equal to 441 cubic meters for ballast water, 505 m3 of fresh water, 422 cu. m. of fuel, 387 cu. m. of drilling mud and 142 cu. m. base oil.

Accommodation is provided for up to 46 people.

Survey Vessel from Sibu Malaysia Yard (Photo: www .stxeur ope.com) (Photos: Eastern Marine Shipbuilding)