Dutch offshore services company Rederij Groen has taken delivery of the ‘7-Waves’, the second of a total three identical Seismic Research Support Vessels. Once the third of these so-called offshore chasers will join the fleet in January 2015, all of Groen’s five custom built chasers will have been built by Damen yard Maaskant, Damen Shipyards said in a press release.
Prior to ordering the three 35-metre Seismic Research Support Vessels of this current ‘7’-class in November 2013, Rederij Groen of Scheveningen (the Netherlands) had already commissioned the Maaskant-built SRSV’s ‘Astra-G’ and ‘Aquarius-G’. These 40 metre sister vessels were delivered early 2013.
Also called guard vessels, their major task is to ensure that other shipping, mainly fishing ships, will keep distance from seismic survey vessels engaged in offshore exploration. So to literally chase them off, hence: chasers. The trawlers’ nets might otherwise damage the costly seismic equipment being trailed.
The ‘Astra-G and Aquarius-G’ were designed from scratch by Maaskant, Groen and Saltwater Engineering together. A design from Vestvaerftet in Denmark was chosen for the new series of three at the request of charterers Dolphin Geophysical. Whereas the 35 metre Danish design resembles the fishing trawler more, the 40-metre Dutch design offers more free deck space. The general deck arrangement is, however, similar to Groen’s first two SRSV’s, which has proven to be efficient.
The ‘7-Oceans’ (delivered by Maaskant Shipyards in July 2014 as the first of the series), the ‘7-Waves’ and the third sister vessel due in January 2015 have two Veth azimuth stern drives (ASD), each driven by a 500 kW electric motor. A 90 kW bow thruster is fitted. Power is supplied by three Caterpillar C18 generator sets of 525 kVA. The electronic system complies with an A4 service area, for operations in Arctic waters.
Main characteristics
LOA : 35.00 m
Beam : 8.70 m
Depth : 4.40 m
Gross Tonnage : 370
Speed : 12 knots
Crew : 6 + 8 spare accommodation
Classification : Lloyd’s Register Ice class
Flag : Panama
Owner : Rederij Groen B.V. Scheveningen
Damen Shipyards Group operates 32 ship- and repair yards, employing 8,000 people worldwide. Damen has delivered more than 5,000 vessels in more than 100 countries and delivers approximately 180 vessels annually to customers worldwide. Damen specializes in the construction of a wide range of products, including: tugs, workboats, naval and patrol vessels, high-speed craft, cargo vessels, dredgers, vessels for the offshore industry, ferries, pontoons and super yachts. Besides, Damen offers a variety of marine components, especially nozzles, (flap-type) rudders, steering gear, anchors, anchor chains and steel works. In addition to ship design and shipbuilding, Damen Shiprepair & Conversion offers a network of 16 repair and conversion yards worldwide, with dry docks ranging up to 420 x 80 metres. Conversion projects range from adapting vessels to meet today’s requirements and regulations to the complete conversion of large offshore structures. DS&C handles 1,500 repair and maintenance jobs annually.