Mariners have become accustom to seeing ever more complex and sophisticated vessels launched in support of the petroleum exploration industry. A new level was set this year when the Norwegian yard Fjellstrand AS launched the multi-purpose offshore vessel Seabed Worker for Seabed AS of Begen Norway.
The DP2 classed vessel has two 2500 kW stern-mounted Voith propulsion units, a Rolls Royce 1000-kW tunnel bow thruster and a Rolls Royce 1000-kW retractable azimuthing bow thruster. Power for these electrically driven propulsion motors is provided by four Cummins QSK60 DMI-driven 1800 kW generator sets. The 88.8 by 16-meter vessel is packed with sophisticated equipment including two hydro-acoustic positioning reference systems and very broad suits of navigation and communications systems (see attached).
A ROV-hanger, situated aft of the accommodation area can be closed to provide a protected area for storage, maintenance and handling of the ROV. The 5.4 by 6-meter moon pool is fitted with a sliding hatch. Both the vessels two ROV launchers are fitted with active heave compensated winches with 4500 meters of umbilical capacity.