High-Speed Catamaran Crewboat Delivered By Fjellstrand

Fjellstrand A/S of Omstrand, Norway, recently completed the 96-passenger crewboat Asie III.

An all-aluminum, semi-planing catamaran with asymmetric hulls, the vessel was handed over to the owner in Omstrand, then shipped as deck cargo to Singapore, where it was christened.

Asie III has a one-year contract of affreightment with Esso Production Malaysia Inc. (EMPI), with an option for an additional year.

The vessel will operate in the South China Sea transporting personnel and light cargo between installations in the Semangkok, Irong Barat, and Tapis oil fields. This entails the vessel being stationed offshore for periods of 6—8 weeks.

EMPI will also use the boat to evaluate the feasibility of using a high-speed vessel such as the Asie III between the shore base and the offshore installations.

The vessel has an overall length of 103.35 feet, beam of 30.84 feet, depth of 11.48 feet, and maximum draft of 7.38 feet. She is powered by two MTU 16V 396 TB 83 diesel engines, each developing 2,010 bhp at 1,940 rpm, driving Liaaen/Helix controllable - pitch propellers through Reintjes reduction gears with a ratio of 2.5:1. A water jet, hydraulically operated bow thruster supplied by Frank Mohn is installed in each hull. Electric power is provided by two Mercedes Benz/ Stamford diesel generators, each of 50 kw.

During trial runs the boat's speed was measured at 29.1 knots, 0.5 knots above the speed specified in the contract. Fjellstrand's 103-foot catamaran has been subjected to extensive tests in extremely rough sea conditions.

Built to Det norske Veritas classification 1A2, Light Craft, R150, Passenger Catamaran, the Asie III is the third 103-foot offshore catamaran built by Fjellstrand. Of the previous vessels, one was delivered to Brazil and one to France.

In addition to the three offshore boats, the shipyard has sold seven 103-foot passenger catamarans to Chinese and Norwegian shipping companies.

The vessel has two single cabins, one double cabin, and one fourman cabin forward on the main deck. Crew quarters also contain a galley, messroom, and a shower/ lavatory. The passenger lounge has adjustable seats and two lavatories with showers. The cargo deck aft has an area of about 1,075 square feet and a capacity of 40 tons.

Other stories from May 15, 1984 issue

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