Robot Cleans World’s Largest Crane Vessel
This March, a robot called Fleet Cleaner was deployed to clean both floaters of Heerema’s semi-submersible crane vessel Thialf in the Port of Rotterdam.The Fleet Cleaner is equipped with a magnetic system that allows it to attach to vessels for cleaning above and below the waterline. The robot captures all removed fouling so that the water environment is not affected by the cleaning operation. Waste is collected, weighed and disposed of, and wastewater is filtered and clean water released.The Thialf hull cleaning was the vessel's first since it last went to dry dock six years ago. Due to the
Partners Eye Autonomous Vessel Technology for UK Ports
Peel Ports Group and ASV Global (ASV) have launched a partnership which will develop the use of autonomous vessel technology for U.K. port operations.The partnership kick-started with a visit from ASV’s team to the Port of Liverpool, to demonstrate the C-Cat-3, an autonomous vessel ideal for shallow survey operations.The C-Cat 3 operated in Brocklebank Dock carrying out seabed survey using a Norbit iWBMS multibeam echo sounder.The successful demonstration has led Peel Ports Group to explore the possibility of using the technology at its other sites throughout the U.K.Peel Ports will facilitate
UW’s New Research Vessel Ready for Work
The University of Washington School of Oceanography took delivery of the former R/V Aora last August in Hartlepool, England after purchasing the vessel from a private party. The vessel, renamed R/V Rachel Carson, underwent a drydock maintenance period at MacDuff Shipyard in Scotland and was transported to the Pacific Northwest via two cargo ships. Since the vessel’s arrival at UW on December 28, 2017, UW has been preparing and transforming the former fisheries research vessel into a capable Local Class oceanographic research vessel. R/V Rachel Carson's first research cruise starts
Saipem Buys Lewek Constellation Vessel
Italian oil and gas contractor Saipem said it has reached a deal to purchase the pipelay, heavy lift and construction vessel Lewek Constellation for $275 million. The 2013-built DP3 rigid and flexible pipeline construction vessel had been previously owned by bankrupt EMAS Chiyoda Subsea. Saipem said the vessel will be available for hire immediately and will be marketed globally, particularly in the Gulf of Mexico, North Sea and Norwegian Sea where the its characteristics are particularly suitable for submarine tie-backs. Saipem CEO, Stefano Cao, said, “In the current economic
Ultra-silent Propulsion for New Research Vessel
When the Faroe Islands Marine Research Institute’s new research vessel enters operation in mid-2020, research personnel on board will be able to carry out their tasks with greater effectiveness thanks to a high-tech, ultra-silent propulsion package from Wärtsilä. The new 54-meter-long ship, which is being built at the MEST shipyard in the Faroes for the Faroese Government organization, will feature a propulsion system that limits underwater radiated noise (URN) and which meets the DNV Silent R notation. The solution is made possible through the manufacturer's in-house
Australian Naval Vessels to Become Dive Wrecks
Decommissioned Australian naval vessels ex-HMA Ships Tobruk and Sydney,will be offered for the creation of dive wrecks, announced Defense Minister Senator Marise Payne. After decades of invaluable service in the Royal Australian Navy, Tobruk and Sydney were decommissioned in July 2015 and November 2015 respectively. Tobruk was used extensively during regional peacekeeping and humanitarian operations as well as border protection in Northern Australia. Sydney was deployed to the Persian Gulf on five occasions in support of operations during the Gulf War, War in Afghanistan and
Orca ESS Retrofit for Norwegian Research Vessel
Corvus Energy’s next generation Orca ESS has been selected by Halvorsen for the retrofit of the fisheries and environmental research vessel MS Johan Hjort. Halvorsen Power System AS has selected Corvus Energy as the supplier of the lithium ion based energy storage system (ESS) for a retrofit of marine research vessel, MS Johan Hjort. Corvus will supply its recently released, next generation Orca Energy solution to provide power to the vessel for peak shaving, research operations and crew comfort. Orca Energy is part of the recently announced Orca ESS product line from Corvus
OSD-IMT Secures Seismic Support Vessel Contracts for COSL
OSD-IMT, a division of Offshore Ship Designers, has secured a design contract for two IMT 965 seismic support vessels with a bollard pull in excess of 50 metric tons for China Oilfield Services Ltd (COSL), Beijing. The vessels will be used to provide a range of support activities to larger seismic vessels which operate continuously for months when conducting seismic surveys. Designed to have a multi-role capability in support of the mother ship, they can be used for re-fuelling, fresh water replenishment, the provision of refrigerated stores and dry provisions, the supply of spares and general
Emergency On-site Repairs Keeps Vessel Sailing
Hydrex offers fast on-site repairs in emergency situations. Its fast response team are ready to mobilize immediately to locations around the world for a wide range of operations. There are many events that can stop a ship from sailing. Ships with a leaking stern tube are often not allowed to enter ports. A vessel can be tied up after a collision or a malfunctioning rudder can prevent safe maneuvering. Going to drydock is obviously not an option in such cases. Arranging the vessel to be unloaded at sea is an organizational and financial disaster for the owner. On top of this it does not solve
Seismic Vessel Order for Kleven Maritime
Kleven Maritime to build second seismic survey vessel for Sanco Shipping Sanco Shipping AS has declared an option for a second seismic vessel to be built at Kleven Maritime’s yard Myklebust Verft in Norway. The vessel, to be named Sanco Sword, is to be delivered in Q1 2014. Its sister vessel Sanco Swift will be delivered from Myklebust Verft in July 2013. Kleven Maritime has nine vessels in its order book, with a total value of more than four billion NOK (€132 million). “We are impressed by Sanco and their investments in the very advanced seismic market. For us it
German-built Jack-up Vessel for Offshore Wind Farms
The hull is complete, the steelwork concluded, the building of the deckhouse has begun – in the dock of Sietas shipyard the first jack-up vessel for offshore wind farms developed and constructed in Germany is currently taking shape. Construction started in April 2012; the handover of the ship to the client, the Dutch marine engineering company Van Oord, is planned for July of this year. For further work on the final assembly, the jack-up vessel needs to be floating in the dock harbor of the Sietas shipyard. For this reason, it has now been undocked with an elaborate change in position, and its
USGS to Receive New Great Lakes Research Vessel
The U.S. Geological Survey awarded a contract for the construction of a large research vessel for Lakes Huron, Michigan, and Superior to Burger Boat Company of Manitowoc, Wis. The vessel will replace the 38-year-old Grayling, bringing the USGS Great Lakes Science Center (GLSC) large vessel fleet up-to-date. The new Grayling will be stationed at the USGS base in Cheboygan, Mich., and will incorporate modern marine standards and state-of-the-art technology to more safely and effectively conduct fisheries research. The funding for this expenditure was accrued from two prior appropriations and
Unmanned Surface Vessels: Wave Glider SV3
Locked and Loaded for Hydrographic Missions In recent years, the proliferation of unmanned surface vessels deployed for hydrographic missions has mushroomed as the collaborative effects of propulsion, software and sensor technologies has cumulatively made these vessels, large and small, more capable for a multitude of missions. In this edition, and on the heels of the Ocean Business exhibition last month in Southampton, Marine Technology Reporter examines recent developments. The Hybrid Liquid Robotics Debuts Wave Glider SV3 Known well in the industry for it’s innovative approach to gathering
Seakeeper Sets Standard for Stabilizing Naval Vessels
Crews aboard naval vessels benefit from having a stable operating platform to help carry out their specialized missions with optimal safety and efficiency. An increasing number of U.S. Navy craft now use Seakeeper actively controlled gyro stabilization systems to mitigate ship roll. Compact, efficient and completely internal, they create significant roll reduction whether a vessel is underway, or at low or zero speed. Under contract with the U.S. Navy, Modutech Marine, Inc. of Tacoma, Wash., recently completed the first of four 95-foot Range Training Support Craft, each equipped with three Seakeeper
Sunken Fishing Vessel Identified 8,920-ft Down
The Coast Guard has identified a sunken fishing vessel missing since 1972. The Schmidt Ocean Institute research vessel Falkor in concert with Bureau of Ocean Energy Management found an unknown sonar target object December 2012, and sent a remote operating vehicle (ROV) to investigate. The fishing vessel Katmai was discovered in 8,920 feet of water approximately 200 miles offshore. After receiving data of the discovery from BOEM, the U.S. Coast Guard Investigations National Center of Expertise initiated a cold case investigation, the result of which has
Markey Equips Research Vessel Sally Ride
Named for the first American woman launched into space aboard the Space Shuttle Challenger, the Research Vessel Sally Ride was commissioned August 9 at Dakota Creek Industries (Anacortes, Washington). Sally Ride is a U.S. Navy Office of Naval Research sponsored Auxiliary General Oceanographic Research Vessel (AGOR-28). The vessel’s advanced deck machinery will be operated by Scripps Institution of Oceanography personnel during extended scientific missions upon the seven seas. Missions to explore and study the hostile ocean environment implore low maintenance deck machinery designs for rugged
Kongsberg Contracted for New Seismic Vessel
Kongsberg Evotec AS, a Kongsberg Maritime company, will provide the complete back deck solution for handling of up to 20 streamers simultaneously aboard a GC Rieber owned new-build seismic exploration vessel, awarded by builder Kleven. The ST324XT designed by Skipsteknisk in Ålesund, will be built at Kleven’s shipyard Myklebust Verft in Sande, Norway, and will be operated by Dolphin Geophysical from Bergen. The vessel can tow up to 20 streamers and features the most advanced technology for handling of cables, wires and ropes. Each streamer winch can contain up to 12,000 meters of streamer
